OSP Received Ofori-Atta Cancer Notice Before “Wanted” Declaration

The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) received formal notification of former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta’s cancer diagnosis nearly a week before declaring him wanted, according to a 29 May 2025 letter from his legal team.

The correspondence reveals a direct contradiction to the OSP’s earlier claim of receiving “no correspondence” regarding his medical status.

Lawyers from Minkah-Premo, Osei-Bonsu, Bruce-Cathline and Partners informed the OSP that Ofori-Atta could not attend a 2 June video-recorded statement due to a cancer diagnosis requiring 13 June surgery. The letter referenced a prior February 2025 rescheduling agreement and offered evidentiary verification: “We shall be ready to meet you in person… to enable you view the biopsy report.” It further proposed judicial oversight: “We may approach the bench for such viewing.”

Despite this disclosure, the OSP proceeded with its 2 June wanted notice for Ofori-Atta, who faces corruption investigations related to his ministerial tenure. Legal analysts note the development raises questions about procedural transparency after the OSP publicly dismissed an earlier medical document on 31 May.

The situation intensifies scrutiny on how Ghana’s anti-corruption institution balances investigative mandates with constitutional rights protections during health crises.