The family of former Ghanaian Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta has formally petitioned the Commission for the Control of INTERPOL’s Files (CCF) and the National Central Bureau, seeking the immediate removal of a Red Notice issued against him.
In a strongly worded statement, the family condemned the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) for what they described as an unlawful and politically motivated action. They accused the OSP of violating Mr. Ofori-Atta’s constitutional rights, international legal norms, and due process.
According to the petition, the arrest warrant—issued on February 11, 2025, for allegedly using public office for personal gain—was obtained under “unusual circumstances,” without a supporting affidavit and in the absence of formal charges.
The family emphasized that Mr. Ofori-Atta is currently undergoing cancer treatment at the Mayo Clinic in the United States, stemming from post-COVID complications dating back to 2021. He is scheduled for surgery on June 13, 2025, and had reportedly requested to be interviewed virtually due to his health condition.
“Rather than respecting the medical records shared with them and allowing a lawful virtual interview, the OSP chose to frame a seriously ill man as a fugitive,” the statement said.
They further alleged that the OSP ignored medical documentation and rejected offers for remote cooperation, opting instead for what the family described as a “public lynching” aimed at tarnishing Mr. Ofori-Atta’s reputation.
The petition questions whether the OSP disclosed relevant information to INTERPOL—such as ongoing court proceedings, the cancer diagnosis, or the supporting medical evidence—before requesting the Red Notice. The family argues that, had this information been presented, the notice would likely have been rejected under Articles 2 and 3 of INTERPOL’s Constitution, which prohibit political influence and protect the right to health.
On June 3, 2025, a lawsuit was filed challenging both the legality of the arrest warrant and the conduct of the OSP.
“Mr. Ofori-Atta has never avoided accountability. He has cooperated with investigations by CHRAJ, Parliament, and the ECOWAS Court, and has been cleared each time,” the family said.
“This is not about justice—it is about vengeance. We believe that the truth will prevail, and Mr. Ofori-Atta will be fully vindicated in the eyes of the nation. Justice will find the Hamans,” they concluded.
The Red Notice was issued after Mr. Ofori-Atta failed to appear for a scheduled interrogation on June 2, 2025. INTERPOL subsequently listed him as “Wanted” on its official website at the request of the OSP.
Read the full statement below:
