Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng (OSP) has defended his office in the face of criticism for failing to prevent former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta from departing Ghana while investigations were ongoing.
He added that the insufficient collaboration of governmental security institutions at the time rendered involvement impossible.
Public outrage grew after the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) allowed Ofori-Atta to go to the United States despite being under investigation for his role in dubious state contracts.
Speaking on the KSM Show, Agyebeng stated that the OSP lacked power over Ghana’s exit points, notably Kotoka International Airport, which limited its capacity to act.
Noting Ofori-Atta’s familial ties to former President Nana Addo, he also implied that political influence was a factor. Akufo-Addo Dankwa
“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 noted.
He claims that when the OSP requested assistance to limit the former minister’s travel, several security services did not provide it.
He emphasised that the institutional setting was hindering at the time.
“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.”
According to Mr. Agyebeng, things have subsequently improved and important agencies are now supporting the OSP.
The Ghana Immigration Service is now dependable. You will then contact Immigration at the time he left, and nobody will even bother to answer.
By November 2025, the OSP plans to file charges against those connected to purported corruption in revenue assurance contracts between Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited and the Ghana Revenue Authority.
Source: newsthemegh.com