INTERPOL removes Ken Ofori-Atta from Red Notice after OSP charges
The International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) has officially withdrawn former Ghanaian Finance Minister Kenneth Nana Yaw Ofori-Atta from its Red Notice list, following the Office of the Special Prosecutor’s (OSP) announcement of formal charges.
The Red Notice, which serves as a request for international cooperation in locating and provisionally arresting an individual, was initially issued due to Ofori-Atta’s failure to appear before the OSP on multiple occasions, including summonses related to corruption investigations involving the National Cathedral project and revenue assurance contracts with Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited (SML).
Ofori-Atta was previously declared a fugitive in February 2025, although his status was temporarily lifted when he pledged to return to Ghana.
Counsel for Ofori-Atta challenged the notice, asserting that Ghana’s request infringed upon INTERPOL’s constitution.
They maintained that the notice was improperly submitted for the following reasons: INTERPOL prohibits politically motivated actions. Administrative matters, such as procurement and public financial management issues, are not valid grounds for a Red Notice.
Furthermore, the individual must already face formal charges in a court of competent jurisdiction.
In the wake of the OSP’s announcement on November 18, 2025, charging Ofori-Atta and seven others with 78 counts of corruption and related offenses, INTERPOL promptly removed the Red Notice from its system.
The charges involve conspiracy to influence the procurement process to secure an unfair advantage in awarding contracts and are brought under sections 23(1) of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29), and 92(2)(b) of the Public Procurement Act, 2003 (Act 663).
The High Court (Criminal Division) in Accra is handling the case, listed as CR/0106/2026, with the other accused including Ernest Darko Akore, Emmanuel Kofi Nti, Ammishaddai Owusu-Amoah, Isaac Crentsil, Col. (Rtd.) Kwadwo Damoah, Evans Adusei, and Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited.
An INTERPOL Red Notice is not an international arrest warrant but serves to alert member countries, including the United States—where Ofori-Atta is reportedly receiving medical treatment—to locate and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition.
The OSP has indicated its intent to pursue extradition proceedings to ensure Ofori-Atta faces the charges in Ghana.
