Legal Expert Questions OSP’s Wanted Declaration for Ken Ofori-Atta
Accra, Ghana – February 18, 2025
Private legal practitioner Alfred Paapa Darkwah has raised concerns over the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) declaring former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta wanted in connection with multiple financial misconduct allegations.
Speaking on Joy FM’s Top Story on Monday, February 17, Darkwah questioned the legal basis for the OSP’s decision, arguing that if the Special Prosecutor had sufficient evidence, the appropriate step would be to proceed directly to court rather than issuing a wanted notice.
“I think what we should all be asking the OSP is, what is Ofori-Atta wanted for? What are the offenses that he has committed that justify this declaration? Does the OSP have enough evidence to proceed with prosecution? If yes, then the OSP should proceed to court and prosecute him,” he stated.
Darkwah also challenged the OSP’s approach, suggesting that if there was a strong case, the Special Prosecutor should consider trying Ofori-Atta in absentia rather than placing him on a wanted list.
“Ofori-Atta’s lawyers have corresponded with the OSP, informing them of his whereabouts and the difficulty in returning to Ghana. If the OSP is unsatisfied, does that justify declaring him wanted?” he questioned.
When asked whether the OSP had exceeded its legal authority, Darkwah pointed out that the office has similar powers to the police, but those powers must be based on reasonable grounds of suspicion.
“The first thing is that there has to be an offense committed. Now, in all the correspondence from the OSP, do we know the specific offense he has committed?”
The Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng, previously stated that Ofori-Atta is wanted in connection with financial investigations related to:
- Strategic Mobilisation-GRA contract
- ECG-BXC contract termination
- National Cathedral payments
- Ambulance procurement contract
Despite this, Darkwah insists that the OSP should focus on formal prosecution rather than what he described as public spectacle tactics.
The OSP’s move has sparked mixed reactions, with some supporting the effort to hold public officials accountable, while others question the legality and fairness of the process.
