Former Minister for Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, has undergone a successful prostate cancer surgery at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.
The four-hour robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy took place on Friday, June 13, 2025, according to a statement issued by his wife, Prof. Angela Ofori-Atta.
The statement noted that doctors are pleased with the outcome and have placed him on a postoperative care regimen.
She described the period as difficult, particularly as it coincided with the Office of the Special Prosecutor issuing a red alert against him.
Despite the challenges, Prof. Ofori-Atta expressed optimism about her husband’s recovery and thanked the public and clergy for their prayers and support.
Background
While undergoing treatment for prostate cancer, former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta has faced significant legal hurdles back home in Ghana.
The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has launched multiple investigations into alleged corruption and procurement breaches during his tenure, spanning several key national projects.
In January 2025, the OSP formally notified Mr. Ofori-Atta that he was a suspect in five separate investigations and requested his appearance on February 10.
These investigations involve:
- Petroleum and Minerals Revenue Assurance: Focused on contractual dealings between Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited and the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).
- Electricity Company of Ghana Contract: Concerning the controversial termination of a deal with Beijing Xiao Cheng Technology (BXC).
- National Cathedral Project: Probing procurement processes and financial transactions related to the project.
- Ambulance Procurement: Investigating a Ministry of Health contract with Service Ghana Auto Group Limited.
- GRA Tax P-Fund Management: Scrutinising the handling and disbursement of funds from the Tax P-Fund Account.
Mr. Ofori-Atta’s legal team responded by informing the OSP on January 31 that he was undergoing medical treatment abroad and could not return to Ghana immediately. However, the OSP rejected the open-ended explanation and insisted on a definitive return date. A doctor’s note submitted on February 10 mentioned medical tests and potential surgery but lacked specifics or formal address to the OSP.
Due to the lack of cooperation, the OSP declared Mr. Ofori-Atta a fugitive on February 12, 2025. A week later, on February 18, his legal team provided a firm return timeline in May 2025, prompting the OSP to withdraw the ‘wanted’ status.
In March 2025, Mr. Ofori-Atta filed a legal suit against the OSP and the Special Prosecutor, seeking compensation and the removal of posts referring to him as a fugitive from official social media accounts. The Human Rights Court heard an interim application to restrain the OSP from reissuing any ‘wanted’ declarations.
Despite these efforts, the OSP later claimed it had not received certified medical records to justify Mr. Ofori-Atta’s absence, which led to a renewed Red Notice issued through INTERPOL.
In response, his family petitioned the INTERPOL Commission for the Control of Files, seeking the withdrawal of the notice. They argue it failed to take into account his medical condition and the ongoing legal resolution process.
Ken Ofori-Atta served as Ghana’s Finance Minister from 2017 to 2024 and was instrumental in leading economic reforms and securing IMF support during Ghana’s economic crisis.
Read full statement below:
