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Wednesday, 7 October 2026
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Wednesday, 7 October 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 Minister for Finance · then Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta · Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta

Ken Ofori-Atta — former Finance Minister facing corruption charges related to an SML-GRA revenue assurance arrangement, currently in the United States.

2026-04-242026-10-07

In coverage

Verbatim sentences from the source article.

  1. July 2026
  2. 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
  3. 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
  4. 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
  5. 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
  6. 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
  7. 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?
  8. Joy Online

    … Meanwhile, the long-running Ken Ofori-Atta saga has taken another dramatic twist. …

    Newsfile to discuss Wontumi’s jail term, Ofori-Atta’s US immigration win, Mid-Year Budget Review
  9. Joy Online

    … Meanwhile, the long-running Ken Ofori-Atta saga has taken another dramatic twist. …

    Livestream: Newsfile discusses Wontumi’s jail term, Ofori-Atta’s US immigration win, Mid-Year Budget Review
  10. Joy Online

    Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga has called for former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta to return to Ghana to account for what he described as the country’s worsening debt burden under the previous New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration. …

    Where is the man who put us in debt? – Majority Leader demands Ofori-Atta’s return
  11. Joy Online

    Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga has challenged the Minority in Parliament to support calls for former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta to return to Ghana and account for the country’s debt burden, arguing that the previous administration’s economic management left Ghanaians bearing …

    Bring Ofori-Atta back to account for Ghana’s debt – Majority Leader tells Minority
Politics

Trial in absentia exists in law, but procedural rules unclear

The News

A legal analyst argues that while Ghana's law recognises trial in absentia, critical procedural questions remain unanswered, including how such a trial is properly commenced when an accused is outside the country, has never appeared before court, and whether they can be defended by counsel while abroad.

4 hours ago · Joy Online →

Today

  1. Trial in absentia exists in law, but procedural rules unclear

    A legal analyst argues that while Ghana's law recognises trial in absentia, critical procedural questions remain unanswered, including how such a trial is properly commenced when an accused is outside the country, has never appeared before court, and whether they can be defended by counsel while abroad.

    4 hours ago · Joy Online →

Wednesday 30 September

  1. Court extends OSP service deadline for Ofori-Atta summons

    Ghana's High Court has granted the Office of the Special Prosecutor four more weeks to serve Ken Ofori-Atta, the former Finance Minister, with summons in the United States in a case involving eight accused persons facing corruption charges related to alleged SML-GRA revenue assurance arrangement losses of more than GH¢1.4 billion.

    30 September 2026 · Joy Online →

Tuesday 15 September

  1. COVID-19 fumigation audit gap of GH¢600m raises concerns

    Parliament's Public Accounts Committee Vice Chairman has described as "frightening" a discrepancy in which journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni's investigation found government spent at least GH¢720 million on COVID-19 fumigation, while the 2022 Auditor-General's special audit captured only GH¢96 million. The PAC says the significant difference warrants answers from the Audit Service.

    15 September 2026 · Joy Online →

  2. Withholding COVID-19 fumigation audit data is serious offence

    Former Auditor-General Daniel Domelevo says withholding information from auditors or underreporting COVID-19 fumigation expenditure would be a serious offence. An investigation found government spent at least GH¢720 million on COVID-19 fumigation, though the Auditor-General's special audit captured only GH¢96 million, a discrepancy Domelevo described as "very disturbing."

    15 September 2026 · Joy Online →

  3. Withheld information or poor audit explains fumigation spending gap

    Former Auditor-General Daniel Domelevo attributes a significant discrepancy between reported COVID-19 fumigation expenditure—GH¢720 million found by journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni versus GH¢96 million in the Auditor-General's special audit—to either withheld information from auditors or inadequate audit conduct. Domelevo noted that deliberately withholding audit information could breach the Audit Service Act, but said he could not determine the exact cause since he was uninvolved in the audit.

    15 September 2026 · Joy Online →

Friday 28 August

  1. OSP granted more time to serve Ofori-Atta with criminal summons

    The Office of the Special Prosecutor has been given a month's adjournment to serve criminal summons on former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta and Ernest Darko Akore for their alleged roles in a revenue assurance contract awarded by the Ghana Revenue Authority to Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited. The case remains at the preliminary stage, with trial yet to commence.

    28 August 2026 · Daily Guide →

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 →

Ken Ofori-Atta — Ghanaian press coverage · Ghana Minute