In a letter dated January 31, the lawyers provided this explanation as the reason why Mr. Ofori-Atta could not report to the OSP as requested on January 24, 2025.

According to the lawyers, Mr. Ofori-Atta was initially unaware of the OSP’s letter, as it was left at his security post while he was out of the country.

They further clarified that he had notified both the former and current Chief of Staff about his medical trip earlier in January.

The legal team stated that Ofori-Atta was undergoing medical observation and tests, with treatment plans yet to be finalized.

As a result, they requested that the OSP reschedule his in-person appearance upon his return to Ghana. Meanwhile, they assured their willingness to provide any necessary information to support the investigation.

The letter emerged shortly after the OSP held a press conference on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, where he declared Mr. Ofori-Atta a fugitive.

The OSP declared him a fugitive on the grounds of allegedly causing financial loss to the state in several dealings.

The OSP has launched an investigation into suspected corruption and related offenses concerning multiple contractual agreements, including those involving Strategic Mobilization Ghana Limited and the Ghana Revenue Authority, the Electricity Company of Ghana, Beijing Xiao Cheng Technology (BXC), the National Cathedral project, and the Ministry of Health’s procurement of ambulances.

Before Wednesday’s press conference, some media reports had claimed that the home of Mr. Ofori-Atta in Accra had been raided by individuals believed to be security personnel.

However, Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng stated at the press conference that the OSP had nothing to do with the supposed raid.

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This decision comes in response to increasing concerns regarding the extensive environmental damage caused by unregulated mining activities, particularly the detrimental effects on Ghana’s water bodies.

The devastation resulting from galamsey has prompted various civil society organizations, including organized labour, to urge the government to declare a state of emergency in the regions most affected by illegal mining.

Their call aims to address the long-term environmental, social, and economic repercussions stemming from these activities.

At a recent conference held in Accra, which focused on assessing Ghana’s Beneficial Ownership regime, Samuel Appiah Darko, the Director of Research and Communication at the OSP, elaborated on the scope of the investigation.

He noted that, the probe would extend beyond merely identifying surface-level violations of mining regulations and delve into the deeper issues of corruption that have enabled the proliferation of illegal mining operations.

Mr Darko underscored that the investigation would particularly scrutinize the roles played by influential individuals and groups who have either facilitated or profited from illegal mining activities.

This approach aims to unveil the intricate networks that contribute to the persistence of galamsey despite regulatory frameworks in place.

The OSP has emphasised its commitment to addressing not only the legal breaches associated with mining but also the systemic corruption that permeates the industry.

“We are doing our investigation into illegal mining separately from the semplicità of somebody has mined without a licence…Those are for police to be dealing with.”

“Ours take a bit of time because we need to be going round to be sure that money exchanged hands before the person going into the field,” he stated.

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