Former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta’s absence from Ghana to face investigation over alleged financial mismanagement has necessitated a protest by members of a pressure group, Arise Ghana, at the United States Embassy in Accra.

The protest, which is ongoing today, Tuesday, January 20, saw the group clad in red and black attire, with placards bearing inscriptions such as "Bring Ken Home" and "No Hiding Place for Corruption."

Mr Ofori-Atta has been on Ghana’s wanted list for months now, and all efforts to bring him down to Ghana appear to have proven futile. Ken Ofori-Atta left Ghana for the United States on January 4, 2025, according to investigative reporting detailing his departure timeline and visa use. As of January 8, 2026, that places his time in the U.S. at approximately one year and four days, following which he has been detained.

Ofori-Atta continues to be a central figure in a legal battle, despite his current health condition. He appeared on Interpol's website for “using public office for profit” after being declared wanted by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP). This followed his failure to appear before the OSP on Monday, June 2.

His lawyers are said to have formally communicated the development to the OSP and the Human Rights Court, submitting medical reports that detail his current condition and outline scheduled surgical procedures. The OSP, during an engagement with the press on Tuesday, June 3, noted the failure of the former minister to inform the OSP of changes in medical procedures that were to have happened in March of this year.

"He has failed to show any medical report that shows he is a medical risk. We want him physically, and we insist on it," the OSP said, while noting that Mr Ofori-Atta cannot indicate the mode of investigation. "His conduct is totally unacceptable. We will no longer tolerate him," the OSP noted.

Later, the legal representatives of the former finance minister informed the OSP that their client is currently undergoing medical treatment in the United States and is unable to honour an invitation for questioning. Ofori-Atta then assured the OSP of his commitment to appearing for questioning on a fixed date, which influenced the OSP's decision to temporarily take his name off the wanted list in March.

However, the office stressed that he is legally obligated to show up on June 2. Failure to do so would result in an Interpol Red Notice being issued and extradition proceedings being initiated in any country where he may be located.

Ken Ofori-Atta then took legal steps to block the OSP from re-declaring him wanted. His lawsuit argues that the agency’s actions are baseless and unjustified. Ofori-Atta has dismissed allegations of financial misconduct and corruption, insisting that he has been cooperating with investigators through his legal representatives.

In his court filing, he contends that the OSP’s actions have inflicted serious harm on his reputation and personal life. He is seeking a legal injunction to prevent further declarations against him until the case is fully resolved.

The Human Rights Court adjourned to June 18 for a ruling on the motion filed by the former finance minister, seeking to restrain the OSP from declaring him wanted, among other reliefs. In February, the OSP declared Ofori-Atta wanted for causing financial loss to the state in several dealings.

These dealings include contractual arrangements between Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited (SML) and the Ghana Revenue Authority, aimed at enhancing revenue assurance in the downstream petroleum sector, upstream petroleum production, and the minerals and metals resource value chain.

They also include the termination of a distribution, loss reduction, and associated network improvement project contract between the Electricity Company of Ghana Limited and Beijing Xiao Chen Technology BXC. Other issues involve the procurement of contractors, materials, and activities, as well as payments related to the National Cathedral project.

Additionally, activities and payments connected to a contract awarded by the Ministry of Health—initially commenced by the Ministry for Special Development Initiative—to service Ghana Auto Group Limited for the purchase, after-sales service, and maintenance of 307 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 304 5 CDI ambulances for the National Ambulance Service are included.

Finally, payments from and utilisation of the tax refund account of the Ghana Revenue Authority were also cited.

Meanwhile, a private legal practitioner, Austin Brako-Powers, has noted that the Attorney-General (A-G), Dr Dominic Ayine, would have a difficult time getting the former finance minister to Ghana to face corruption charges. Speaking to the media, he explained that the Attorney-General has made public statements that appear biased or unfair, turning the issue into a political matter.

Because of this politicisation, he believes Ghana’s case will look weaker and less credible when it is considered by authorities in the United States. He added, “I am saying that the Attorney-General will not be successful in extraditing Ken Ofori-Atta to this country. Based on the public commentaries of the Attorney-General and the Special Prosecutor [Kissi Agyebeng], they will not—mark it—be able to extradite Ken Ofori-Atta.”

“This is a high-profile extradition case involving a former finance minister, a central figure in the previous administration. It will attract significant attention, and key questions around motive, fairness, and political neutrality will arise.

“Added to that are the prejudicial public statements by the Attorney-General and the Special Prosecutor [Kissi Agyebeng], which risk undermining Ghana’s credibility as a requesting state.”