The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has moved to correct widespread public speculation over the status of the red notice issued against former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, stating that the perceived “removal” of the alert is simply part of INTERPOL’s internal review procedures rather than a definitive withdrawal.
In a clarification issued on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, the OSP said misleading reports circulating in sections of the media had distorted the ongoing legal and administrative process, creating the impression that INTERPOL had rescinded its alert. The Office described these claims as deliberate attempts to misinform the public.
According to the OSP, Mr. Ofori-Atta formally petitioned INTERPOL’s Commission for the Control of INTERPOL’s Files (CCF) in October 2025, seeking to have his name expunged from the international notice. The CCF subsequently informed Ghana of the application, to which authorities responded on 22 October.
On 7 November, the Commission requested further submissions from Ghana after Mr. Ofori-Atta presented additional arguments in support of his case. The state’s next response is due by 21 November, signalling that the matter remains fully active before INTERPOL’s adjudicatory body.
Legal experts note that during such proceedings, INTERPOL routinely restricts public access to contested alerts until the review is concluded—meaning that the temporary absence of a notice does not equate to its cancellation.
The OSP reiterated this point, urging the public to treat contrary media claims with caution. The Office stressed that the red notice is still under formal examination and that no decision—whether to maintain or lift it—has yet been made by INTERPOL.
The situation highlights growing public interest in Ghana’s high-profile anti-corruption cases and underscores the complex, multilayered nature of INTERPOL’s review mechanisms, which often go unnoticed by the general public.
