NDC Official Claims Ofori-Atta Avoiding OSP Interrogation with Fake Illness Excuse

Ken Ofori-Atta Faking Illness to Evade OSP Interrogation – NDC’s Dr. Sofo Tanko Alleges

Dr. Sofo Tanko Rashid, Deputy National Director of Elections and IT for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has accused former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta of feigning illness to avoid interrogation by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP). His remarks came during a live interview on TV3’s New Day, hosted by Roland Walker, on the back of renewed efforts by the OSP to bring Ofori-Atta to justice over alleged corruption-related offenses.

“Ken Ofori-Atta is not sick. He’s healthy and strong—he’s just playing hide and seek with the OSP,” Dr. Tanko declared. “This is a calculated move advised by his legal team to delay justice. But Ghanaians deserve accountability.”

Legal Team’s Request for Virtual Hearing Raises Suspicions
According to Dr. Tanko, a recent request by Ofori-Atta’s legal team to conduct a virtual interrogation instead of appearing in person is part of a broader attempt to evade justice. He claimed that the former finance minister is deliberately using health excuses to avoid facing the OSP in person.

“This virtual hearing request is just a tactic,” he emphasized. “This strategy won’t help anyone, least of all Mr. Ofori-Atta. The law must be allowed to take its full course.”

OSP Declares Ken Ofori-Atta Wanted Again
The controversy escalated after the Office of the Special Prosecutor declared Ken Ofori-Atta a wanted person once again, following his failure to honor an invitation to appear before the office on June 2, 2025. The OSP, led by Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng, has initiated the process to issue an INTERPOL Red Notice in a bid to locate and extradite Ofori-Atta for questioning and possible prosecution.

This is the second time Ofori-Atta has been declared wanted. He was previously removed from the OSP’s wanted list in February 2025 after giving written assurance that he would voluntarily return to Ghana in May. However, his no-show in June has led the OSP to reinstate efforts to bring him in.

Mahama’s Anti-Corruption Stance Commended
During the interview, Dr. Tanko also took the opportunity to applaud President John Dramani Mahama for what he described as a strong, corruption-free start to his current administration. He noted that Mahama’s leadership is already showing results by ensuring strict ethical standards among public officeholders.

“President Mahama has made it clear—no one should touch the public purse. And six months into his administration, we’ve seen zero corruption scandals, which is unheard of in recent times,” Tanko said.

He urged Ghanaians to support Mahama’s “Reset Ghana” agenda, which he described as a national renewal strategy aimed at restoring public trust, improving governance, and reclaiming state funds lost through corruption.

Who Is Ken Ofori-Atta?
Ken Ofori-Atta served as Ghana’s Finance Minister from 2017 to 2024 under President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. During his tenure, he spearheaded major financial initiatives such as the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme and IMF bailout negotiations. However, his leadership was frequently questioned due to ballooning national debt and alleged mismanagement of public finances.

The Office of the Special Prosecutor is currently investigating him for alleged procurement breaches, misuse of public funds, and irregularities involving the Ghana Revenue Authority’s Tax Refund Account.

Despite claims of ill health from his legal representatives—who say he is scheduled for surgery and cannot yet return to Ghana—the OSP maintains that he is deliberately avoiding justice.

The Role of the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP)
Established in 2018, the OSP serves as Ghana’s independent anti-corruption agency, with the mandate to investigate and prosecute corruption-related offenses involving public officials. It was formed to address widespread concerns about political interference in corruption investigations.

Under the leadership of Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng, the OSP has taken a firm stance on high-profile corruption cases, with Ofori-Atta’s case among the most notable in recent months.

As the situation continues to unfold, public interest remains high, with many Ghanaians calling for swift justice and transparency in handling corruption cases involving former government officials.