The U.S. Department of Justice and the FBI have reportedly cleared a key hurdle in Ghana’s request to extradite former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, currently residing in the United States.
According to sources at the U.S. Embassy in Accra, American authorities have concluded that the legal case against Ofori-Atta does not amount to political persecution or a witch-hunt. Ofori-Atta, declared wanted by Ghana’s Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) in February 2025, is the subject of an INTERPOL Red Notice. He faces multiple investigations related to high-profile financial decisions and public sector contracts during his tenure. These include the controversial Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Ltd contract, the termination of an ECG-BXC technology agreement, the National Cathedral project, ambulance procurement deals, and the management of the GRA tax refund account.
In addition to the OSP, Ghana’s Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO) and the National Investigation Bureau (NIB) are also investigating him for alleged corruption and procurement infractions. While Ofori-Atta maintains that the charges are politically motivated, U.S. officials have found no basis for such claims. Their backing strengthens Ghana’s case for extradition, though the legal process may remain lengthy and complex due to diplomatic and judicial procedures. The case now moves forward under the purview of the U.S. Attorney General’s office.