Interpol has issued a red notice for former Finance Minister,Ken Ofori-Atta, amid an ongoing corruption investigation.
The international alert, published on Interpol’s official website, comes after Mr Ofori-Atta failed to honour a summons by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) for questioning on 2 June.
The Special Prosecutor announced at a press briefing the same day that steps were being taken to initiate extradition proceedings, with the red notice forming part of efforts to bring the former minister back to Ghana.
Mr Ofori-Atta is under investigation for alleged involvement in multiple high-profile cases. These include:
- Petroleum and Minerals Revenue Assurance: Concerns over contracts between Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited and the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).
- Electricity Contract Termination: The controversial cancellation of a deal between the Electricity Company of Ghana and Chinese firm Beijing Xiao Cheng Technology (BXC).
- National Cathedral Project: Questions surrounding procurement processes and financial management linked to the ambitious cathedral construction project.
- Ambulance Procurement Deal: A Ministry of Health agreement involving Service Ghana Auto Group Limited for 307 ambulances.
- Tax Fund Management: Alleged irregularities in the handling of the GRA’s Tax P-Fund Account.
The charge listed by Interpol is “using public office for profit.” Mr Ofori-Atta, a prominent figure in the previous government, has not publicly responded to the allegations.
A red notice is not an international arrest warrant, but it signals to member states that a person is wanted for prosecution or to serve a sentence, and may prompt local authorities to detain them pending extradition.
The OSP says it is determined to ensure accountability in the use of public resources and is pursuing all legal avenues to return Mr Ofori-Atta to Ghana to face justice.
Source:TheDotNews