Former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta has undergone a successful robotic-assisted prostate cancer surgery at the Mayo Clinic in the United States. The update was shared by his wife, Professor Angela Ofori-Atta, on Monday, June 16, following the procedure on Friday, June 13.
This medical development comes as the former minister faces a separate ordeal: legal action from Ghana’s Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), which recently triggered an INTERPOL Red Notice seeking his international arrest in connection with corruption-related investigations.
Ken Ofori-Atta’s Medical Update
The prostate cancer surgery was completed without complications, and Mr. Ofori-Atta is currently under observation by a post-operative care team in the U.S. His wife described the period as “difficult,” but praised his strength and resilience.
“This moment has been very difficult… But Ken has always been resilient,” she said in a public statement.
Doctors at the Mayo Clinic — a world-renowned medical institution source — have prescribed several weeks of recovery before he can travel.
Ken Ofori-Atta undergoes successful prostate cancer surgery – Wife discloses by NewsWire GH on Scribd
INTERPOL Notice Sparks Concern
Just days before the surgery, Ghana’s OSP announced that Mr. Ofori-Atta had failed to honour a scheduled legal engagement, prompting the request for an INTERPOL Red Notice. The move has drawn mixed reactions, with some legal experts citing procedural overreach given the medical emergency involved.
The Red Notice, according to INTERPOL, is not an international arrest warrant but a request to locate and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition.
Family Petitions INTERPOL
Professor Angela Ofori-Atta revealed that the family has formally petitioned INTERPOL’s Commission for the Control of Files to review and withdraw the notice. They argue that the legal action ignored his health condition and was “premeditated.”
The allegations tied to the former minister involve investigations into the revenue assurance contract with Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Ltd (SML) and financial dealings relating to Ghana’s controversial National Cathedral project.
OSP Response and Legal Backdrop
The Office of the Special Prosecutor has stood by its actions, insisting that accountability processes must be upheld and that Mr. Ofori-Atta’s absence had not been officially justified at the time of the notice.
This raises broader questions about how Ghana’s legal and governance institutions balance accountability with fundamental rights — especially where health crises are concerned.
What Happens Next?
Mr. Ofori-Atta is expected to remain in the U.S. for follow-up treatment and recovery. His legal team has indicated his willingness to cooperate fully with Ghanaian authorities as soon as he is medically cleared to return.
Why This Story Matters
This case goes beyond one man’s health. It represents a defining test for Ghana’s rule of law — whether institutions can uphold justice without compromising on basic human dignity and due process.
Related to this story
Mayo Clinic on Prostate Cancer Surgery
What is an INTERPOL Red Notice?
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