Award-winning investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni has raised concerns about the state’s handling of the case of embattled former Minister of Finance Ofori-Atta, following his (Ofori-Atta’s) permanent removal from the INTERPOL Notice database.
In a post shared on social media on Saturday, February 14, 2026, the journalist indicated that the decision of the Commission for the Control of INTERPOL’s Files raises serious concerns about the defence mounted by state prosecutors, possibly by the Office of the Special Prosecutor, for Ofori-Atta to be kept on the database.
According to him, all the justifications given by the commission for the removal should not have stood because there is enough evidence to prove that he misconducted himself while in office and that the charges filed against him are not motivated by political considerations.
He added that the prosecution of Ofori-Atta cannot be politically motivated, as stated by INTERPOL, because an investigation sanctioned by his own government, which was headed by his cousin, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, implicated him.
“It would be good to read the full INTERPOL ruling, if it’s available. I would also be curious to know what evidence we put forward that did not convince INTERPOL that the case wasn’t political.
As far as SML is concerned, the KPMG report and President Akufo-Addo’s ‘white paper’ on the report are our strongest evidence.
“President Akufo-Addo and Ken Ofori-Atta did not only work in the same government. They are also related by blood. President Akufo-Addo’s white paper cited illegalities with the SML deal.
It was during President Akufo-Addo’s era that the Transaction Audit and External Price Verification contracts with SML were terminated. President Akufo-Addo’s white paper on the KPMG report said these contracts were redundant because the GRA already had in-built systems to perform those services,” he said.
He added, “Yet, we paid over 500 million cedis for these same services, so calling Ken Ofori-Atta to account cannot be said to be political persecution. During President Akufo-Addo’s presidency, SML contracts in the mining and oil sectors were suspended. These contracts were signed under the direction of Ken Ofori-Atta. There is an official letter to that effect.”
The Commission cited contextual factors surrounding the issuance of the alert, including what it described as “polarised political statements from members of current and former administrations about the conduct of the investigation”.
It also referenced public controversy regarding prosecutorial and extradition processes. The Commission further noted that senior officials at the Ministry of Justice had publicly acknowledged, at the time, that extradition could not yet be pursued because the case was still at an early procedural stage.
Additionally, the CCF observed that subsequent developments rendered the Red Notice unnecessary. It pointed out that Ofori-Atta’s location was known, cooperation with authorities in the United States was ongoing, and extradition proceedings had already commenced following his arrest in the US on January 6, 2026.
OSP addresses INTERPOL’s action on Ken Ofori-Atta Red Notice
Read Manassah’s full post below:
It will be good to read the full INTERPOL ruling, if it’s available.
I would also be curious to know what evidence we put forward that did not convince INTERPOL that the case wasn’t political.
As far as SML is concerned, the KPMG report and President Akufo-Addo’s “white paper” on the report are our strongest evidence.
President Akufo-Addo and Ken Ofori-Atta did not only work in the same government. They are also related by blood.
President Akufo-Addo’s white paper cited illegalities with the SML deal.
It was during President Akufo-Addo’s era that the Transaction Audit and External Price verification contracts with SML were terminated.
President Akufo-Addo’s white paper on the KPMG report said these contracts were redundant because the GRA already had in-built systems to perform those services.
Yet, we paid over 500 million cedis for these same services, so calling Ken Ofori-Atta to account cannot be said to be political persecution.
During President Akufo-Addo’s presidency, SML contracts in the mining and oil sectors with SML were suspended. These contracts were signed under the direction of Ken Ofori-Atta. There’s an official letter to that effect.
So, if Ken Ofori-Atta’s cousin and the president under whom he served made adverse findings against Ken Ofori- Atta, why would another administration be said to be politically persecuting him when Ken Ofori-Atta is called to account for the same illegalities flagged by his cousin? Besides, the OSP is an independent institution, not headed by politicians.
Considering the fact that Ken Ofori-Atta’s lawyers in the U.S. will likely cite political persecution as a defence against his extradition, this angle should be taken seriously. We need to ask critical questions.
As I have said earlier, until we see the evidence presented from our side and the full ruling, we may not be able to get to the bottom of this.
Also, the fact that ICE have arrested Ken Ofori-Atta is not a good reason to have his name “permanently” deleted from INTERPOL.
If Ken Ofori-Atta’s lawyers in the U.S. win the case, he can relocate to Canada or the UK, where he has valid visas.
What this means is that he will be free to travel, and INTERPOL will not arrest him.
Hopefully, the full ruling and arguments by both parties presented before INTERPOL will help with a better understanding of this case.
BAI
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