Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng, has announced that the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) will compel former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta to return to the country to aid the OSP with some five corruption-related cases he is involved in to assist with investigation.

Engaging the media today, the OSP revealed that the lawyers of Mr Ofori-Atta indicated that he is currently outside the jurisdiction indefinitely due to medical reasons. Mr Kissi Agyebeng indicated that such a reason will not be taken and his office will be required to bring Mr Ofori-Atta in for questioning should he fail to return voluntarily.

"OSP is unconvinced that the purported medical report letter transmitted by Mr. Ofori through his lawyers to the OSP represents a medical report to the effect that Mr Ofori is so incapacitated or so sickly to return to the jurisdiction without impairing his life."

"No serious law enforcement agency and certainly not the OSP would be convinced that the purported medical report stops it from demanding the physical appearance of Mr Ofori Atta before it in the described circumstances. We are of a firm conviction that this is a ruse by Ofori-Atta to avoid returning to the jurisdiction and to personally answer questions before the OSP."

"He has no intention of willingly returning to the jurisdiction, and that is much clear to us. Consequently...and this is to Mr Ofori Atta, you have 2 choices: you can either return to the jurisdiction voluntary or the OSP will enforce your return," the Special Prosecutor said.

The OSP has declared Mr Ofori-Atta a fugitive for failing to appear for interrogation into corruption-related investigations. The said dealings, include:

Contractual arrangement between Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited and the Ghana Revenue Authority for the stated objective of the enhancement of revenue assurance in the downstream petroleum sector, upstream petroleum production, and minerals and metals resource value chain.

Termination of a distribution, loss reduction, and associated network improvement project contract between the Electricity Company of Ghana Limited and Beijing Xhao Chen Technology BXC.

Procurement of contractors and materials and activities and payments in respect of the National Cathedral project

Activities and payments in respect of a contract awarded by the Ministry of Health initially commenced by the Ministry for Special Development Initiative to service Ghana Auto Group Limited for purchases and after-sales service and maintenance of 307 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 304 5 CDI Ambulances for the National Ambulance Service.

Payments out of and utilization of the tax refund account of the Ghana Revenue Authority.