The International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol) has issued a red notice for Ken Ofori-Atta, Ghana’s former finance minister. This formal request to law enforcement agencies worldwide seeks to locate and provisionally arrest Mr. Ofori-Atta pending extradition, surrender, or similar legal action. The red notice, confirmed as active on Interpol’s website on Friday, specifies that he is wanted on charges of "using public office for profit".

This international alert comes amidst an ongoing probe into Mr. Ofori-Atta's tenure by Ghana’s Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP). The OSP had previously declared the former minister wanted on June 2 after he failed to honour a summons for questioning. The investigation is reportedly examining several high-profile contracts and dealings during his time in office.

According to local media reports, the OSP's investigation into Mr. Ofori-Atta, who served for seven years under former President Nana Akufo-Addo, covers multiple areas. These include matters related to Ghana’s petroleum revenues, electricity supply agreements, ambulance procurement, and the controversial construction of the national cathedral. He has been accused of causing financial losses to the state.

Mr. Ofori-Atta’s legal team had reportedly requested that he be permitted to appear for interrogation virtually, citing medical grounds. However, the OSP declined this request, insisting on an in-person session. An offer by his lawyers to represent him in response to criminal charges was also objected to by the state prosecutor, who stated they could not respond on behalf of their client. Kissi Agyebeng, the Special Prosecutor, commented on the situation, asserting that “a suspect in a criminal investigation does not pick and choose how the investigative body conducts its investigations. We will not countenance this conduct—not in this case.”

The intensified scrutiny of Mr. Ofori-Atta, who is a cousin of former President Akufo-Addo, is part of the current President John Mahama’s administration's declared efforts to investigate former government officials. This follows a cabinet reshuffle by President Mahama that reportedly affected over 20 ministers, including Mr. Ofori-Atta. It was also noted that on February 25, prosecutors had previously declared Ofori-Atta wanted over his alleged involvement in multiple corruption cases from his time as a cabinet member.