Samuel Appiah Darko, the Director of Strategy, Research and Communication at the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has said it became necessary to declare former finance minister Ken Ofori-Atta a fugitive.
Samuel Appiah Darko asserted that the OSP declared Ken Ofori Atta a fugitive because of his unwillingness to appear before the Office of the Special Prosecutor for questioning.
He added that the law is clear on an individual who refuses to cooperate with an ongoing investigation.
Speaking in an interview on JOY News Newsfile, Samuel Appiah Darko disclosed, “We did not take this decision lightly. It became necessary because he has shown no willingness to appear before us despite several attempts to engage him,”
The law is clear—if an individual refuses to cooperate with an ongoing investigation, the necessary legal steps must be taken”, he added.
Kissi Agyebeng’s labelling Ken Ofori-Atta as a fugitive has ignited a significant public reaction, with some Ghanaians questioning the legality and fairness of the decision.
The OSP Kissi Agyebeng declared Ken Ofori-Atta a fugitive for failing to appear for interrogation into corruption-related investigations.
Ken Ofori Atta has been accused of causing financial loss to the state in several dealings including the construction of the famous National Cathedral and Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA’s) – Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Ltd (SML), the loss reduction contract between ECG and Beijing Jao and Health Ministry to Service Ghana Auto Limited/Ambulances.
He stated, “The fugitive’s name is Kenneth Nana Yaw Ofori Atta. Mr Ofori-Atta is 66 years old. He was the minister of Finance of the republic between 2017 and 2024. Mr Ofori-Atta left the jurisdiction on or around 2 January 2025. On 24th January 2025, the OSP communicated to Mr Ofori-Atta that OSP considered him a suspect in respect to four of the cases above. Mr Ofori-Atta was asked to attend in person on Monday 10th February 2025 at 10GMT for an interview…Mr Ofori-Atta instructed his lawyers to inform the OSP that he was out of the jurisdiction indefinitely on medical grounds…”
Meanwhile, Deputy Attorney General-designate, Dr Justice Srem-Sai has described the Office of the Special Prosecutor’s (OSP) decision to declare Ken Ofori-Atta a fugitive as harsh.
