Interpol has issued a "red notice" for Ghana's former finance minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, following accusations that he utilized his public office for personal enrichment. This development, confirmed by a review of Interpol's website records on a recent Friday, escalates the legal challenges faced by the ex-minister. A red notice serves as a global alert to law enforcement agencies, requesting the arrest of a suspect, often with a view to extradition.

Mr. Ofori-Atta is currently under investigation by Ghana's Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) concerning his involvement in several high-profile contracts. These include agreements related to Ghana's petroleum revenues, electricity supply infrastructure, procurement of ambulances, and a contentious national cathedral project. The cathedral project, despite receiving tens of millions of dollars in funding, has reportedly resulted in little more than an excavated construction site.

The issuance of the Interpol notice was prompted by a formal request from the OSP. This request came after Mr. Ofori-Atta was re-declared a wanted person by the OSP on a Monday, due to his failure to attend a scheduled interrogation session. Reports indicate that extradition proceedings are now in progress to facilitate his return to Ghana. However, his precise whereabouts remain unknown, with information suggesting he is abroad seeking medical treatment.

The OSP, led by Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng, is probing a range of alleged misconduct, from improper procurement procedures to financial mismanagement. Mr. Agyebeng expressed a firm stance to local media on Monday, stating, "We will not countenance this conduct, not in this case." The OSP has been insistent that Mr. Ofori-Atta must appear for questioning in person, thereby rejecting requests from his legal representatives for a virtual session, even on medical grounds.

In response, Frank Davies, a member of Ofori-Atta's legal team, criticized the special prosecutor's handling of the situation. Speaking to AFP on Friday after the Interpol notice was made public, Davies remarked, "We submitted medical records in good faith, and the office has chosen to ignore them. The special prosecutor is not being sensitive to the issues at hand, especially knowing that Mr Ofori-Atta is unwell and receiving treatment."

These events unfold within a broader political climate where the new administration, under President John Mahama, is actively pursuing accountability from officials of the previous government. The attorney-general's office is reportedly compiling 33 cases related to corruption and associated offenses against former government appointees. Ken Ofori-Atta served as finance minister for seven years under the administration of former president Nana Akufo-Addo.