Concerned Citizens petition US Embassy to help extradite Ken Ofori-Atta to Ghana

A group calling itself Concerned Citizens of Ghana has petitioned the United States Embassy in Accra, urging American authorities to cooperate with Ghana’s government to facilitate the extradition of former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, who has been formally charged with corruption and economic crimes.

The petition, dated 2 December 2025, appeals to the Embassy to assist in verifying Mr Ofori-Atta’s whereabouts, support collaboration between US and Ghanaian authorities, and fast-track the processing of any formal extradition request. The group emphasised that it was not declaring the former minister guilty, but insisting that “the law must take its course.”

“Justice must not depend on geography. Let the law work,” the petition stated.

According to the petitioners, Mr Ofori-Atta’s absence from the country is delaying the criminal process and undermining national efforts to strengthen accountability.

READ ALSO: OSP charges Ofori-Atta, SML and 6 others with 78 counts of corruption-related offences

The petition, which is currently circulating online, has gathered more than six hundred signatures at the time of this publication, with organisers urging Ghanaians at home and abroad to support the call for extradition. Social media posts promoting the petition continue to trend on X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook.

The petition follows significant developments in the ongoing corruption probe by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP). The OSP has officially charged Mr Ofori-Atta, Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Ltd (SML), and six other high-ranking officials for corruption and corruption-related offences.

In total, 78 counts have been levelled against the accused persons. Those charged include:

• Ernest Darko Akore (67) – Chef de Cabinet to the Minister of Finance
  
  

• Emmanuel Kofi Nti (66) – Former Commissioner-General, Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA)
  
  

• Ammishaddai Owusu-Amoah (64) – Former Commissioner-General, GRA
  
  

• Isaac Crentsil (63) – Former Commissioner, Customs Division of GRA
  
  

• Kwadwo Damoah (65) – Former Commissioner, Customs Division of GRA
  
  

• Evans Adusei (62) – CEO and beneficial owner of SML
  
  

• Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Ltd (SML) – The beneficiary company
  
  

The charges stem from a wide-ranging investigation into contracts awarded to SML between 2017 and 2024, which prosecutors describe as part of a coordinated “criminal enterprise” allegedly designed to defraud the state.

READ ALOS: Gov't forwards petitions against EC chair, deputies, and Special Prosecutor to Chief Jus

According to the OSP, the accused persons were involved in a sophisticated scheme characterised by:

Contracts were allegedly awarded to SML through single-source procurement without approval from the Public Procurement Authority (PPA) Board and, in certain cases, Parliament.

Investigators say the contracts were secured through misrepresentations, including false claims about SML’s technical capacity, financial backing, and supposed proprietary technology from multinational partner COTECNA S.A.

SML was allegedly placed on an automatic payment system, causing the state to make substantial payments despite no evidence of work done.

Officials are accused of using their public positions to benefit SML and its owner.

The OSP documents multiple contracts and significant financial losses:

• Over GHS 1.4 billion in alleged losses from contracts awarded and paid for between 2017 and 2024
  
  

• A halted upstream petroleum and minerals audit contract valued at more than US$2.79 billion, which could have resulted in additional losses had payments commenced

On 31 October, President John Mahama ordered the immediate termination of all contracts with SML following the completion of the OSP investigation. The government said the decision underscores its commitment to transparency and proper management of public resources.

The Finance Ministry has been instructed to ensure that all termination procedures comply fully with financial and legal requirements.

It is reported that the Attorne-General's office is already taking steps ensure the extradition of Ken Ofori-Atta to Ghana to stand trial.

The public petition adds pressure to ongoing diplomatic processes, with many citizens calling for equal treatment of public officials facing criminal charges.