A red notice has been issued for Ken Ofori-Atta, Ghana’s former finance minister, by Interpol for various allegations of corruption.
The issuance of the red notice comes after the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) formally initiated the process for an INTERPOL Red Notice, which could subject Ken Ofori-Atta to international arrest and possible extradition.
The Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng, announced at a press conference on Monday, June 2, 2025, following the expiration of an agreed date for interrogation.
In addition, the Office has re-listed the embattled former minister on its list of wanted persons and officially declared him a fugitive from justice.
Agyebeng declared that the OSP will deploy all legal means to secure Ofori-Atta’s return to Ghana.
He stated that the office will prefer criminal charges against Ofori-Atta in due course, either in absentia or otherwise.
Through his lawyers, Ofori-Atta in a letter dated May 28, 2025, informed the OSP that he has been diagnosed with cancer and will be unable to meet the June 2, 2025, deadline.
But the OSP denied receiving any medical report concerning Ofori-Atta, in response to widespread media reports alleging the existence of a hospital letter suggesting the former official is unwell.
In a statement issued Tuesday, June 3, 2025, the OSP strongly refuted claims that it had been served with a medical document regarding Ofori-Atta, describing the reports as misleading and potentially damaging to public confidence.
The office further expressed concern over the unauthorised media circulation of what is alleged to be a confidential medical letter purportedly originating from a local hospital.
To date, the OSP noted, no certified medical records or official documents from any hospital authority have been submitted to the OSP indicating that Mr. Ofori-Atta is incapacitated or unable to travel to Ghana.
The OSP emphasised the importance of due process and called on the media to exercise caution and verify information before publication.
The OSP also questioned the motivations behind the leak of the alleged hospital letter, suggesting it could be part of a broader attempt to influence public perception or obstruct ongoing investigations.
Ken Ofori-Atta has been diagnosed with prostate cancer and is scheduled to undergo surgery at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, in the United States.
A letter from the internationally renowned medical facility confirms that Ofori-Atta’s diagnosis followed a series of medical tests, including MRI scans and a biopsy conducted in March 2025.
The official communication from Mayo Clinic, dated May 15, 2025, revealed that the diagnosis was made through an MR-guided biopsy and confirmed by a surgical pathology report prepared by Dr. Paras Shah.
The report recommends a surgical intervention to treat the cancer.
Surgery set for June 13
The letter, signed by Dr. Ahmed Abdalrhim, a consultant in the Section of International Medicine at Mayo Clinic, indicated that the prostate surgery has been scheduled for June 13, 2025.
Dr. Paras Shah of the Department of Urology will lead the surgical team.
The letter also notes that an earlier surgical date may become available and would be offered if possible.
