OSP blames lack of support for failure to stop Ofori-Atta’s travel
Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng (OSP) has defended his office amid criticism over its failure to prevent former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta from leaving Ghana during ongoing investigations.
He explained that inadequate cooperation from state security institutions at the time made intervention impossible.
Public pressure mounted after the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) did not stop Ofori-Atta from travelling to the United States, even though he was under investigation for his role in controversial state contracts.
Speaking on the KSM Show, Agyebeng said the OSP lacked authority over Ghana’s exit points, including Kotoka International Airport, limiting its ability to act.
He also hinted that political influence played a role, noting Ofori-Atta’s family connection to then-President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo
“He left between December 1 and 7. Who was in power at that time? And we don’t control the airports and exit gates. But we’re taking flak. Why allow him to leave? His cousin (Ken Ofori-Atta) was President Nana Akufo-Addo. Let’s face facts,” the OSP pointed out.
According to him, various security agencies failed to assist when the OSP sought support to restrict the former minister’s travel.
He stressed that the institutional environment at the time was obstructive
“We were not getting the cooperation of the other security agencies at the time he left for the States… It was as if there was a policy of blocking the OSP out.
“This is the situation we found ourselves in… We didn’t watch him leave. But we couldn’t prevent him from leaving the airport. We were powerless.”
Mr. Agyebeng stated that circumstances have since improved and that the OSP now receives support from key agencies
“Now we can rely on the Ghana Immigration Service… Then, and at the time he left, you will call up Immigration, and no one will bother to respond to you.”
The OSP is preparing to press charges by November 2025 against individuals linked to alleged corruption in revenue assurance contracts between the Ghana Revenue Authority and Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited.
