In a dramatic twist to one of Ghana’s most closely watched legal battles, INTERPOL has permanently deleted the Red Notice that had been issued against former Finance Minister Ken Ofori‑Atta, ruling the alert did not comply with its neutrality rules and was “predominantly political” in character.
The decision, made by INTERPOL’s Commission for the Control of Files (CCF) during its February 4 session and communicated on February 13, effectively removes the international alert seeking his location and provisional arrest. Under INTERPOL’s constitution, the organisation must not intervene in matters of a political nature — a key reason cited for the deletion.
The Red Notice — first issued in June 2025 at the request of Ghana’s Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) amid corruption allegations tied to his tenure — is now permanently expunged from INTERPOL’s databases, meaning it cannot be simply re‑issued through the organisation.
Government Reaction & Legal Impact
The OSP has confirmed receipt of the CCF decision and reiterated its commitment to due process, insisting that deletion of the notice does not end Ghana’s efforts to secure Ofori‑Atta’s return and prosecution through legal and diplomatic channels.
Meanwhile, political tensions have flared at home, with opposition voices accusing the government of selective standards in its anti‑corruption fight — citing the Red Notice’s deletion as proof that legal actions can be influenced by political pressure.
Current Status & Next Steps
Ofori‑Atta remains in US custody following his January 6 detention by immigration authorities in Virginia. The extradition process is ongoing, and Ghana has reportedly transmitted court summons and legal requests through diplomatic channels even as the Red Notice is gone.
Supporters of the former minister have hailed the deletion as a vindication, while critics say it complicates Ghana’s pursuit of accountability in high‑level corruption cases — underscoring the political sensitivities surrounding the saga.
