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Once powerful minister of finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, has been summoned by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), to field answers to series of suspected high-profile corruption and corruption-related offenses involving millions of dollars.
By Nana Kwame Owusu
The Inquirer’s sources around both the former minister and the OSP confirmed that the specialised independent anti-corruption institution officially notified Ken Ofori-Atta that he is considered a suspect in the investigations.
The former minister has been asked to appear at the 6 Haile Selassie Avenue, South Ridge office of the OSP in Accra, in person, on Monday, February 10, 2025, at 10:00 GMT. The statement further indicates that he may be accompanied by legal counsel of his choice during the session, ” sources familiar with the case told this paper.
Chiefly amongst the varied areas the investigations cover includes four major areas of concern: Strategic Mobilization Ghana Limited and Ghana Revenue Authority Contract, Termination of ECG-BXC Contract, National Cathedral Project, and the procurement and payments for 307 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter ambulances by the Ministry of Health
Specifically on the Strategic Mobilization Ghana Limited and Ghana Revenue Authority Contract, the OSP is probing contractual arrangements aimed at enhancing revenue assurance in the downstream petroleum sector, upstream petroleum production, and minerals and metals resources value chains.
The Inquirer gathered on the Termination of ECG-BXC Contract, that the investigation would focus on the termination of a Distribution, Loss Reduction, and Associated Network Improvement Project contract between the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and Beijing Xiao Cheng Technology (BXC).
“Activities, payments, procurement of contractors, and materials related to the National Cathedral project are under scrutiny as far as the National Cathedral Project is concerned,” our sources confirmed.
On the Ambulance Procurement Scandal, the procurement and payments for 307 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter ambulances by the Ministry of Health—initially initiated by the Ministry for Special Development Initiatives—have also raised red flags.
Ken Ofori-Atta, who has faced criticism over his handling of Ghana’s economy, is yet to publicly respond to the OSP’s summons.
The investigations, OSP sources say, highlight the Office’s renewed efforts to combat corruption and ensure transparency in the management of public funds.
More anon.
