Former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta has been diagnosed with cancer and is currently undergoing treatment, the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has revealed.
At a press conference held on Monday, June 2, 2025, Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng disclosed that Mr. Ofori-Atta remains a wanted person after failing to appear for questioning despite several invitations.
According to Mr. Agyebeng, the former Minister’s lawyers communicated the development to the OSP, submitting medical documents indicating an “unexpected deterioration” in his health, alongside confirmation of a recent cancer diagnosis.
The legal team has proposed that Mr. Ofori-Atta be allowed to provide a caution statement virtually, citing provisions under the Electronic Transactions Act.
However, Mr. Agyebeng expressed skepticism about the credibility of the request, hinting that it could be a tactic to evade justice.
“Legal representation is no substitute for the personal attendance of a suspect in a criminal investigation,” he stated firmly.
Mr. Ofori-Atta was first declared a “fugitive from justice” in February 2025 after repeatedly failing to honour invitations by the OSP. He is under investigation in connection with several high-profile corruption cases.
These include the controversial revenue assurance contract with Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited (SML), financial dealings involving the construction of the National Cathedral, and other procurement and expenditure issues that occurred during his tenure as Finance Minister from 2017 to 2024.
The OSP has yet to determine whether it will accept the proposal for a virtual appearance.
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