Former Finance Minister Accused of Dodging Justice as Extradition Looms
Former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta is facing intensifying scrutiny after investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni revealed details that paint a troubling picture of evasion, revoked immigration status, and corruption allegations linked to the SML scandal.
According to Manasseh, Mr. Ofori-Atta quietly left Ghana on January 4, 2025, at a time when public pressure and questions over his conduct in office were mounting.
“He departed from Terminal 3 of Kotoka International Airport on United Airlines Flight 997 to Washington, D.C.,” Manasseh disclosed in a social media post.
Although the former minister travelled on a Ghanaian passport and initially held valid visas to the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada, subsequent developments suggest his stay abroad was neither smooth nor lawful.
“He held valid visas to the UK, Canada and the United States at the time of travel,” Manasseh stated, adding that his U.S. visa was originally set to expire on February 14, 2026, with his UK and Canadian visas running into 2032 and 2031 respectively.
However, revelations from Ghana’s Attorney-General have cast serious doubt on Mr. Ofori-Atta’s status and intentions.
“The Attorney-General disclosed that his U.S. visa was revoked in July 2025 and he was asked to leave the country by November 29, 2025,” Manasseh revealed, raising questions about what triggered the revocation and whether U.S. authorities acted on concerns related to his legal troubles.
The former finance minister has since been formally charged in Ghana over corruption-related offences tied to the controversial Strategic Mobilisation Limited (SML) deal, a scandal that has drawn widespread public outrage.
“Mr. Ofori-Atta has been charged with corruption-related offences in Ghana over the SML scandal,” Manasseh confirmed.
Despite these charges, Manasseh disclosed that Mr. Ofori-Atta showed no willingness to submit himself to Ghana’s justice system.
“In July 2025, a source close to him told me he had no intention of returning to Ghana to face justice,” he stated.
With voluntary return ruled out, the Government of Ghana has now been forced to pursue international legal action.
“The government of Ghana has requested his extradition from the United States,” Manasseh wrote.
Mr. Ofori-Atta is reportedly expected to appear before a U.S. court on January 20, 2026, as legal processes unfold — a development that further deepens the controversy surrounding a man once entrusted with managing Ghana’s finances.
