The international manhunt for Ghana’s former Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, has hit a major wall. In a significant legal victory for the embattled politician, the Commission for the Control of Interpol’s Files (CCF) has ordered the permanent deletion of the Red Notice issued against him.
Ofori-Atta had been placed on the global wanted list following requests from Ghana’s Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), which is investigating him for alleged corruption related to the National Cathedral project and ambulance procurement deals. However, Interpol’s review board concluded that the pursuit of Ofori-Atta was "predominantly political" in character, a violation of Interpol's constitution which forbids political intervention.
This decision effectively clears Ofori-Atta to travel internationally without the fear of arrest by Interpol member states. While the domestic charges in Ghana remain, the OSP has lost its most powerful tool to force his return from the United States, where he has reportedly been receiving medical treatment.
