The Ghanaian government has announced the formal transmission of an extradition request to the United States Department of Justice for the country’s former Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta.

Ghana’s Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, said the request follows an intensive investigation by the Office of the Special Prosecutor. This investigation resulted in 78 criminal charges being filed at the High Court against the former minister and his technical adviser, Ernest Darko Akore, involving allegations of causing financial loss to the state and using public office for private benefit.

The Justice Minister acknowledged that extradition is a complex legal process, noting that the decision on whether to return the former minister to Ghana now rests with U.S. judicial authorities.

Acting under the government’s flagship anti-corruption initiative, Operation Recover All Loot, the minister said President John Dramani Mahama remains steadfast in his commitment to ensuring accountability and the recovery of state assets.