Ghana's Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dominic Ayine, has officially announced the government's formal request to the United States authorities for the extradition of former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta and his alleged accomplice, Ernest Darko Akore. This move aims to bring them to Ghana to face a total of 78 alleged corruption and corruption-related offenses. The announcement was made by Mr. Ayine during the Government Accountability Series on Thursday, December 18, 2025, providing a crucial update on the ongoing efforts to ensure accountability.

Mr. Ayine disclosed that Ken Ofori-Atta has secured the services of some of the most experienced and prominent lawyers in the United States to contest Ghana’s extradition demand. This strategic legal engagement indicates a potentially protracted legal battle within the U.S. federal courts. The Attorney-General acknowledged that the process could involve multiple levels of appeal, from district courts to the circuit court and potentially up to the U.S. Supreme Court, making it challenging to predict a definitive timeline for Ofori-Atta's return. Despite these anticipated complexities, Mr. Ayine expressed confidence, stating, “I’m not afraid at all,” and reaffirmed the government's commitment to the pursuit of justice.

The government, on behalf of His Excellency John Dramani Mahama (whose administration is pursuing this), remains steadfast in its resolve to ensure the former Finance Minister faces trial in Ghana. Mr. Ayine extended a direct appeal to Ofori-Atta, urging him to return voluntarily and assuring him of a fair and unbiased legal process. He stated, “If I were him, this is his home. He should just join the next flight and come here. Under my watch, he will not be treated unfairly. He will go through due process and be prosecuted just like any other person.” The Attorney-General further clarified that Ofori-Atta would be treated without prejudice, similar to other individuals like Kwabena Adu Boahene or Abdul Hanan, against whom charges have already been filed.

The formal extradition request, encompassing all required documentation and clarifications from the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), has been transmitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. The matter now rests with the U.S. judicial system to assess whether a sufficient legal basis for extradition has been established. Mr. Ayine underscored the government's dedication to upholding accountability and due process, affirming continued cooperation with international partners while adhering to the legal frameworks governing extradition under both Ghanaian and U.S. law.

Private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu commended Attorney-General Dominic Ayine for the efficient handling of the extradition process, while simultaneously criticizing the Office of the Special Prosecutor for its prior inaction. During an interview on Joy FM’s Midday News on December 18, Mr. Kpebu alleged that the OSP's delay in acting on a petition submitted in December 2023 allowed Ofori-Atta to leave the country. He noted that formal investigations by the OSP only commenced in January 2025, by which time Ofori-Atta had already departed, questioning the justifiable reasons for such a delay, especially given that the Special Prosecutor allegedly saw the former finance minister without arresting him.

The 78 charges against Ken Ofori-Atta and Ernest Darko Akore include serious allegations such as causing financial loss to the state and using public office for private benefit. These charges originate from several corruption-related investigations conducted by the OSP, which encompass alleged irregularities in contracts with Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited (SML), expenditures on the National Cathedral project, and issues concerning health and tax refund operations. Mr. Ofori-Atta has reportedly been in the United States since January 2025, citing health reasons, a claim disputed by the OSP, and was consequently declared a “fugitive from justice” in February 2025.