From Finance Minister to Fugitive: The Targets of Ghana’s Expanding Anti-Corruption Drive
Ghana's renewed anti-corruption agenda under President John Mahama is shaking the foundations of political and financial power. With high-profile figures like former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta now declared wanted, the campaign signals a no-holds-barred pursuit of accountability and justic
In a sweeping and unprecedented effort to tackle corruption, the Ghanaian government, under the leadership of President John Dramani Mahama, has launched a relentless campaign dubbed “Operation Recover All Loot.” At the center of this drive is the former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, who has become the most prominent face of what appears to be a long-overdue reckoning with abuse of public office.
Once a symbol of Ghana’s fiscal strategy, Ofori-Atta is now wanted by law enforcement and subject to an INTERPOL Red Notice for alleged corruption, procurement irregularities, and evasion of accountability. His case, now international in scope, reflects the government's intent to leave no stone unturned, regardless of political stature.
But Ofori-Atta is not alone. Other former appointees, business executives, and institutional heads are under investigation or facing charges. The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) is reportedly handling over 30 high-value cases ranging from fraudulent contracts in energy and infrastructure to missing COVID-19 funds and health sector scandals.
???? Key Developments:
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Ken Ofori-Atta: Accused of financial impropriety related to the National Cathedral project, SML revenue monitoring contract, and several foreign loan arrangements.
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Health Sector: Investigations into inflated PPE contracts and ghost suppliers from the COVID-19 era.
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State-Owned Enterprises: Probes into multi-million cedi procurement fraud involving the Ghana Revenue Authority and ECG.
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National Security Assets: Inquiries into suspicious transfers of military property and state vehicles to private individuals.
????️ Public Reaction
While many Ghanaians have applauded the clampdown as necessary and long overdue, there is also concern over the potential for political bias. Analysts warn that selective justice could undermine the legitimacy of the campaign. Civil society groups have called for the independence of the OSP and due process to guide every step of the process.
???? What Next?
President Mahama has vowed to support the OSP with “the full weight of the presidency.” Legal observers expect more arrests, possible extraditions, and fast-tracked trials as public pressure mounts for results.
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