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Sunday, 23 August 2026
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Sunday, 23 August 2026
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Ghanaian press · Person

Ken Ofori-Atta

Also known as: Mr Ofori-Atta · Former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta · KOA · Mr. Ofori-Atta · Hon. Dr Ken Ofori-Atta · Mr Ken Ofori-Atta

Former Finance Minister facing 78 corruption charges filed in November 2025 by Ghana's Office of the Special Prosecutor, currently in the United States.

2026-04-242026-08-23

In coverage

Verbatim sentences from the source article.

  1. August 2026
  2. Joy Online

    The OSP on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, filed 78 charges alleging violations of Section 23(1) of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29), and Section 92(2)(b) of the Public Procurement Act, 2003 (Act 663) against former Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta and seven others.

    Blame OSP for delaying SML case – Corporate Counsel
  3. Joy Online

    His comments come against the backdrop of a number of investigations and legal actions involving officials of the previous administration, including former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, as well as matters surrounding the National Food Buffer Stock Company and the Cyber Securit

    Investigations into former officials not political persecution – Abeiku Hayford
  4. July 2026
  5. Joy Online

    On that note, Ken Ofori-Atta toa so. Live free, Live forever,” he wrote.

    Ken Ofori-Atta ‘toa so’; live free, live forever – Franklin Cudjoe says after Sedina Tamakloe’s acquittal
  6. The Ghanaian Times

    The former Attorney-General spoke about the ongoing criminal case involving former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta.

    Godfred Dame disagrees with Sedina Tamakloe acquittal, urges Attorney-General to appeal
  7. Joy Online

    Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Dr Dominic Ayine, has dismissed suggestions that former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta’s United States citizenship could prevent his extradition to Ghana if required to face trial.

    American citizenship does not shield Ofori-Atta from extradition to Ghana — AG
  8. Joy Online

    The Executive Secretary of the Chamber of Petroleum Consumers (COPEC), Duncan Amoah, has renewed calls for former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta to account for decisions taken during his tenure, arguing that public confidence in governance depends on holding former public offici

    Duncan Amoah renews call for Ofori-Atta to account for stewardship
  9. Joy Online

    sor of International Law at the University of Ghana, Kwadwo Appiagyei Atua, has argued that the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) should not bear sole responsibility for the challenges surrounding Ghana’s efforts to secure the return of former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta

    OSP should not be solely blamed for Ofori-Atta situation – Prof Atua
  10. Joy Online

    Former Tamale Central MP and lawyer, Inusah Fuseini, has argued that a U.S. immigration judge had no legal authority to make conclusive pronouncements on the criminal case involving former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta in Ghana.

    US immigration judge had no jurisdiction to rule on Ofori-Atta’s criminal case – Inusah Fuseini
  11. Joy Online

    Samuel Atta Akyea, lead counsel for the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has called for restraint in the ongoing legal efforts to bring former Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta back to Ghana.

    Atta Akyea urges patience in Ofori-Atta’s case, calls for voluntary return
  12. Joy Online

    Recently, President John Dramani Mahama, while addressing a public gathering, humorously appealed to former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta to return to Ghana.

    When Politics Meets Perception: Will Ken Ofori-Atta return to Ghana?

Friday 21 August

  1. Corporate Counsel accuses OSP of delaying SML prosecution

    Counsel for Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited has accused the Office of the Special Prosecutor of delaying the criminal case by failing to complete disclosure of evidence, despite filing 78 charges in November 2025 against former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta and seven others for violations of the Criminal Offences Act and Public Procurement Act.

    21 August 2026 · Joy Online

Monday 10 August

  1. NDC official rejects political persecution claims in investigations

    National Democratic Congress Deputy General Secretary hopeful Abeiku Hayford has dismissed characterizations of investigations and prosecutions against former government officials as political persecution, arguing that public officials accused of misusing state resources must be held accountable regardless of political affiliation.

    10 August 2026 · Joy Online

Friday 31 July

  1. Franklin Cudjoe criticises acquittal of ex-MASLOC CEO Sedina Tamakloe

    IMANI Africa founder Franklin Cudjoe has expressed concern that the Court of Appeal's decision to acquit former Microfinance and Small Loans Centre chief executive officer Sedina Tamakloe Attionu could send a wrong signal about accountability, suggesting that public officials accused of wrongdoing may escape consequences if their political party returns to power.

    31 July 2026 · Joy Online

Thursday 30 July

  1. Godfred Dame disputes Sedina Tamakloe acquittal, urges appeal

    Former Attorney-General Godfred Dame disagreed with the Court of Appeal's unanimous decision to acquit former MASLOC CEO Sedina Tamakloe Attionu, asserting that prosecution evidence was credible and sufficient for conviction. Dame urged the current Attorney-General to appeal the ruling.

    30 July 2026 · The Ghanaian Times

  2. AG says US citizenship does not prevent Ofori-Atta extradition

    Attorney General Dominic Ayine stated that Ken Ofori-Atta's American citizenship does not shield him from extradition to Ghana if required to face trial, clarifying that Ghana's extradition laws apply regardless of citizenship status and that dual citizenship creates no legal obstacle to extradition.

    30 July 2026 · Joy Online

Sunday 26 July

  1. Duncan Amoah calls for Ofori-Atta accountability regardless of politics

    COPEC's executive secretary Duncan Amoah has renewed calls for former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta to account for decisions during his tenure, arguing that public confidence in governance requires holding former officials accountable regardless of political affiliation. Amoah suggested unresolved issues from Ofori-Atta's time could pose a political challenge for the NPP ahead of the 2028 election, as Ofori-Atta faces corruption-related charges while remaining in the United States.

    26 July 2026 · Joy Online

Saturday 25 July

  1. OSP not solely responsible for Ofori-Atta extradition challenges

    Professor Kwadwo Appiagyei Atua argues that responsibility for difficulties in securing the return of former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta should extend beyond the Office of the Special Prosecutor to include the Attorney-General's Office and Ghana's security agencies. He also contends that Ofori-Atta did not leave Ghana unlawfully, as he had received permission to travel for medical reasons.

    25 July 2026 · Joy Online

  2. US immigration judge lacked jurisdiction on Ofori-Atta case

    Former Tamale Central MP Inusah Fuseini argues that a U.S. immigration judge had no legal authority to make conclusive pronouncements on former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta's criminal case in Ghana. Fuseini contends the judge's mandate was limited to determining immigration status, not ruling on criminal allegations pending before Ghanaian courts.

    25 July 2026 · Joy Online

  3. Atta Akyea calls for voluntary return of Ofori-Atta from US

    Samuel Atta Akyea, lead counsel for the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the NPP, has urged authorities to allow former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta to return to Ghana voluntarily rather than pursuing extradition, arguing that complex extradition proceedings should not be used to compel his return.

    25 July 2026 · Joy Online

Friday 24 July

  1. President Mahama jokes about former Finance Minister Ofori-Atta's return

    President John Dramani Mahama humorously urged former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta to return to Ghana, saying Ofori-Atta's children miss him and assuring him of security and due process if he comes back. The remarks, which drew laughter, raise questions about whether assurances can address public concerns over past events.

    24 July 2026 · Joy Online

  2. High Court convicts NPP Ashanti Chairman Wontumi for illegal mining

    The High Court convicted NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi-Boasiako (Chairman Wontumi) over illegal mining activities linked to Akonta Mining and sentenced him to 20 years' imprisonment. The government says the verdict demonstrates no one is above the law, while the opposition argues it is politically tainted and has vowed to appeal.

    24 July 2026 · Joy Online

  3. Wontumi convicted of illegal mining; Ofori-Atta wins US immigration case

    The High Court convicted NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi-Boasiako (Chairman Wontumi) of illegal mining and sentenced him to 20 years' imprisonment, with government calling it evidence that no one is above the law and opposition calling it politically tainted. A United States immigration court found that the Office of the Special Prosecutor failed to provide sufficiently credible evidence in proceedings involving former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, though the OSP rejected suggestions that its case has collapsed.

    24 July 2026 · Joy Online

  4. Majority Leader demands former Finance Minister Ofori-Atta's return

    Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga called for former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta to return from the United States to account for Ghana's debt burden and alleged economic mismanagement under the previous NPP administration. Ayariga contrasted this with the current Finance Minister's performance, claiming the economy is now being managed without burdensome taxes or excessive borrowing.

    24 July 2026 · Joy Online

Thursday 23 July

  1. Majority Leader demands ex-Finance Minister Ofori-Atta return to account for debt

    Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga has called for former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta to return from the United States to account for Ghana's debt and economic mismanagement under the previous administration. Ayariga contrasted the previous government's heavy borrowing and taxation with the current Finance Minister's approach of abolishing taxes while managing the economy.

    23 July 2026 · Joy Online

Wednesday 22 July

  1. Legal practitioner claims Ofori-Atta's lawyers influenced US court Green Card decision

    Legal practitioner Martin Kpebu has alleged that former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta's legal team, which he says has strong political connections to President Donald Trump, played a major role in a US court's decision to grant Ofori-Atta a Green Card. Kpebu further argued that the judge exceeded his mandate by commenting on criminal allegations against the former minister.

    22 July 2026 · The Ghanaian Times

  2. US immigration judge grants Ofori-Atta status; Ghana case evidentiary standards diverge

    A United States Immigration Judge in Virginia granted former Ghana Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta's application for adjustment of status, finding insufficient evidentiary foundation in the Department of Homeland Security's opposition, which cited criminal charges filed in Ghana concerning the Strategic Mobilisation Limited contract. The ruling highlights differing standards between US immigration adjudication and Ghanaian criminal prosecution.

    22 July 2026 · Joy Online

Tuesday 21 July

  1. US immigration judge's ruling on Ofori-Atta does not prevent extradition

    A US immigration judge granted former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta permanent residency, finding insufficient evidence from Ghana's Office of the Special Prosecutor to support opposition to his application. According to immigration lawyer Jonelle Ocloo, the ruling concerns only his immigration status and does not prevent Ghana from pursuing extradition, though American courts would require compelling evidence.

    21 July 2026 · Joy Online

  2. OSP says Ofori-Atta remains fugitive despite US court ruling

    The Office of the Special Prosecutor has maintained that former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta remains a fugitive from justice in Ghana, stating that a recent US immigration court ruling approving his permanent residency application has no bearing on pending criminal charges against him in Ghanaian courts.

    21 July 2026 · Joy Online

  3. Former Finance Minister Ofori-Atta granted US immigration status

    An immigration judge approved Ken Ofori-Atta's application for adjustment of status in the United States, ruling that his decades-long ties to the country—including education, professional career with major financial institutions, family connections, and ongoing medical treatment—outweighed concerns over criminal allegations filed against him in Ghana.

    21 July 2026 · Joy Online

  4. US Immigration Judge rejects OSP allegations against Ofori-Atta

    A US Immigration Judge ruled that Ghana's Office of the Special Prosecutor failed to provide credible evidence linking former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta to criminal wrongdoing, describing the OSP's affidavit as containing "conclusory allegations" without sufficient facts to establish criminal conduct.

    21 July 2026 · Joy Online

  5. US immigration court grants Ken Ofori-Atta status adjustment

    A certified transcript from a June 15, 2026 hearing at Annandale Immigration Court shows that Immigration Judge David Gardey granted former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta's application for adjustment of status after examining allegations brought by Ghana's Office of the Special Prosecutor and assessing evidence from both sides.

    21 July 2026 · Joy Online

  6. US immigration judge cites Interpol cancellation in Ofori-Atta ruling

    A US immigration judge has rejected claims of criminal wrongdoing against former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, citing Interpol's cancellation of a red notice against him and stating the allegations lack sufficient evidence. The judge noted Interpol's review described the matter as "predominantly political" and questioned why the US had not pursued extradition.

    21 July 2026 · Joy Online

  7. US immigration judge finds OSP lacked evidence against Ofori-Atta

    A United States immigration judge ruled on June 15, 2026, that Ghana's Office of the Special Prosecutor failed to provide persuasive evidence that former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta committed criminal wrongdoing, citing lack of convincing proof in the OSP's affidavit and finding the former minister's testimony credible.

    21 July 2026 · Joy Online

Friday 17 July

  1. Mahama appeals to Ofori-Atta to return and face investigations

    President Mahama has called on former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta to return to Ghana voluntarily to face legal processes and investigations involving him. Mahama explained that extradition procedures require Ghana to have a treaty with the country where the individual is located, and that the Attorney General's Department has filed an extradition application with American authorities.

    17 July 2026 · The Ghanaian Times

  2. Mahama urges ex-Finance Minister Ofori-Atta to return voluntarily

    President Mahama has called on former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta to return to Ghana and face legal investigations, explaining that extradition requires international procedures and that the Attorney General's Department has filed an extradition application being considered by an American judge.

    17 July 2026 · The Ghanaian Times

  3. Mahama calls on Ofori-Atta to return to Ghana face investigation

    President Mahama has urged former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta to return to Ghana to answer questions over matters under investigation, reminding him of his previous claim that Ghanaians were "his children" and that he could not abandon them. Mahama stated that anyone who believes they have done nothing wrong should have no reason to remain outside the country and assured that Ofori-Atta would receive a fair hearing under Ghana's judicial system.

    17 July 2026 · Joy Online

  4. Mahama urges Ofori-Atta to return to Ghana face investigation

    President Mahama called on former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta to return to Ghana to answer questions over matters under investigation, reminding him of his past claim that Ghanaians were "his children" and that he could not abandon them. Mahama argued that anyone who believes they have done nothing wrong should have no reason to remain outside the country and assured he would receive a fair judicial hearing.

    17 July 2026 · Joy Online

  5. Mahama questions Ofori-Atta's absence, explains extradition process

    President Mahama questioned why former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta would flee Ghana if he had done nothing wrong, explaining that returning him depends on extradition treaties and court proceedings in the country where he is residing. Mahama noted the Attorney General's Department has initiated the extradition process and that an American judge will ultimately decide whether Ofori-Atta should be returned to Ghana.

    17 July 2026 · Joy Online

  6. Mahama questions Ofori-Atta's absence while extradition process underway

    President John Mahama said someone who believes they have done nothing wrong should not flee the country, questioning former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta's decision to remain outside Ghana. Mahama explained that bringing Ofori-Atta back depends on international legal processes, including extradition proceedings, and noted that the Attorney General's Department has already initiated the extradition process.

    17 July 2026 · Joy Online

Tuesday 23 June

  1. Diezani acquittal highlights burden of proof in criminal justice

    An opinion piece examines Nigeria's former Petroleum Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke's acquittal by Southwark Crown Court in London after a 13-year investigation by the UK's National Crime Agency, drawing lessons about the presumption of innocence and the high threshold of legal proof for Ghana's anti-corruption efforts.

    23 June 2026 · Joy Online

Ken Ofori-Atta — Ghanaian press coverage · Ghana Minute