Former Finance Minister, Kenneth Nana Yaw Ofori-Atta, will return to Ghana following cancer surgery at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, scheduled for June 13, 2025, his family has confirmed.
The announcement follows a biopsy in March that confirmed his cancer diagnosis.
The family confirmed that he will make himself available to the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) once his medical treatment and recovery are complete.
OSP’s INTERPOL Red Notice and fugitive claims
The statement comes amid controversy, as the OSP issued an INTERPOL Red Notice and declared Ofori-Atta a fugitive from justice.
The family has described the move as a “premeditated theatrical stunt” aimed at publicly humiliating a man who, they say, has never run from legal scrutiny.
They noted that Ofori-Atta had informed the OSP of his medical condition and requested a video-recorded interview instead of a physical appearance, an offer they claim was rejected.
Family accuses OSP of misconduct
In a detailed release, the Ofori-Atta family accused the OSP of manipulating evidence, violating Ofori-Atta’s constitutional rights, and disregarding ongoing judicial processes. They highlighted a pending Human Rights Court ruling set for June 18, 2025, and alleged that the OSP “deliberately suppressed and manipulated” information to secure an arrest warrant without proper judicial procedure.
“There is no charge stated against Mr Ofori-Atta apart from what is vaguely mentioned on the arrest warrant as ‘using public office for private profit’,” the family said.
“This arrest warrant was procured under unusual circumstances and without a filed affidavit.”
Petition to INTERPOL and call for fairness
The family has petitioned the INTERPOL Commission for the Control of Files (CCF) to withdraw the Red Notice, arguing it was issued without considering Ofori-Atta’s medical condition, the Human Rights Court proceedings, or his offers of virtual cooperation.
“We remain perplexed by the OSP’s refusal over the past three months to accept Mr Ofori-Atta’s proposal to provide information via written responses and/or video-recorded interview,” the family said. “It is hard to imagine that this is for any other reason than to attempt to humiliate him on arrival.”
Ofori-Atta’s record of transparency
The family emphasised Ofori-Atta’s history of cooperation, noting he was cleared of wrongdoing in investigations by Parliament, CHRAJ, and the ECOWAS Court. “Any claims suggesting that Mr Ofori-Atta is fleeing justice are out of character, preposterous, and simply not true,” they asserted.
Commitment to return and face OSP
The family reiterated that Ofori-Atta will return to Ghana once he is medically fit to travel and will address the OSP’s inquiries in person.
“Once Mr. Ofori-Atta’s surgical procedure is over and the necessary treatment and recuperation have taken place, he will return to Ghana at the appropriate time and meet with the OSP in-person. We are confident that Mr Ofori-Atta’s rights will be restored and when these investigations are completed, he will be acquitted in full view of our entire nation, and justice will find the Hamans, ” the statement concluded.
Ken Ofori-Atta will return to Ghana after surgery by emma tony on Scribd
