The family of former Finance Minister Kenneth Ofori-Atta has launched a strong defense against what they describe as a pattern of legal overreach, human rights violations, and procedural misconduct by Ghana’s Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) in its ongoing case against their relative.
In a detailed press release issued on Monday, the family accused the OSP of violating Mr. Ofori-Atta’s constitutional rights—particularly his right to health and due process—while attempting to brand him as a fugitive despite ongoing legal proceedings and medical circumstances.
At the heart of the family’s grievances is the OSP’s pursuit of an INTERPOL Red Notice and its public declaration of Mr. Ofori-Atta as a “wanted person,” which they contend was done outside the framework of due judicial procedure. According to the family, no affidavit was filed to justify the arrest warrant, a matter now before a Human Rights Court.
Allegations of Abuse of Administrative Power
The family accuses the OSP of employing what it calls “administrative theatrics” to paint Mr. Ofori-Atta as uncooperative, despite what they describe as documented efforts by the former minister to engage lawfully. They claim he has submitted all required documentation and offered to participate virtually in a Cautioned Statement session while undergoing medical treatment abroad.
Mr. Ofori-Atta, diagnosed with cancer earlier this year, is scheduled for surgery on June 13, 2025, at the Mayo Clinic in the United States. A biopsy conducted in March confirmed the diagnosis. Despite this, the OSP reportedly refused a request for a video-recorded interview and insisted on in-person attendance—an act the family views as a violation of his right to health and liberty under both Ghanaian and international human rights laws.
Legal Proceedings and Public Perception
The family noted that legal proceedings regarding the OSP’s February declaration of Mr. Ofori-Atta as “wanted” are still pending, with a ruling expected on June 18. They argue that repeating the declaration before this court ruling amounts to contempt and undermines the judiciary’s authority.
In response to the INTERPOL Red Notice, the family says it has taken steps through the National Central Bureau and the Commission for the Control of INTERPOL’s Files to have it rescinded. They are also inquiring whether relevant medical records, court proceedings, and international rights provisions were disclosed when the Red Notice was sought.
Claims of Political Targeting
The family’s statement paints the OSP’s actions as politically motivated, alleging the use of state power for vendetta, suppression of exculpatory evidence, and deliberate attempts to damage Mr. Ofori-Atta’s public image during a period of medical vulnerability.
They emphasized his track record of cooperation with legal and institutional inquiries since 2017, and highlighted prior exonerations by bodies such as the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), the ECOWAS Court of Justice, and Ghana’s Parliament.
Call for Fairness and Legal Integrity
The family concluded their statement by expressing faith in the Ghanaian legal system and calling on the OSP to operate within the bounds of legality, ethics, and compassion. They reiterated that Mr. Ofori-Atta has never evaded justice and remains committed to clearing his name after receiving medical care.
As Ghana watches the case unfold, the tension between prosecutorial power and individual rights continues to test the country’s justice system and institutional integrity.
