The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has dispelled widespread reports claiming the complete removal of former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta’s name from INTERPOL’s Red Notice list, clarifying that the alert has only been temporarily redacted while his appeal process continues.
In a public notice issued on Tuesday, November 19, 2025, the OSP explained that the redaction is a standard procedural step during ongoing proceedings before the Commission for the Control of INTERPOL’s Files, which is currently reviewing Ofori-Atta’s application for removal, along with additional arguments he submitted in an addendum.
According to the statement, Ofori-Atta first applied for the removal of his name from the Red Notice in October 2025. Ghanaian authorities, through the OSP, submitted their response to the application on October 22, 2025. Subsequently, on November 7, 2025, the commission notified the OSP of Ofori-Atta’s supplementary arguments and requested Ghana’s rejoinder by November 21, 2025.
“The proceedings are still pending and the Commission for the Control of INTERPOL’s Files is still studying the case,” the OSP notice stated.
“During the pendency of the proceedings, the applicant’s name, image, and details are often redacted from public view until a final determination is made,” the Office added.
The OSP urged the public to disregard “all publications to the contrary as borne of mischief and misinformation,” emphasising that the case remains active.
The development comes amid heightened media attention on Ofori-Atta’s legal battles. INTERPOL issued the Red Notice against the former minister in June 2025 at the request of the OSP, which was investigating allegations of corruption and “using public office for profit” linked to his tenure as Finance Minister from 2017 to 2024. The notice sought his provisional arrest and extradition to Ghana for questioning and possible prosecution.
Ofori-Atta, a close ally of former President Nana Akufo-Addo, has denied all wrongdoing, describing the OSP’s actions as politically motivated. His legal team argued in the appeal that the Red Notice request violated INTERPOL’s rules, citing procedural irregularities in its submission.
The OSP, led by Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng, has been investigating high-profile figures in Ghana’s public sector for financial malfeasance, with Ofori-Atta’s case forming part of broader probes into alleged irregularities in public debt management and procurement during the Akufo-Addo administration.
Meanwhile, the redaction of Ofori-Atta’s wanted notice comes a day after the OSP filed formal charges against the former Minister for Finance and six others on 68 counts of corruption and corruption-related offences.
The other accused persons include revenue assurance firm Strategic Mobilisation Limited (SML), its officials, and some former senior executives of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).