The Commission for the Control of INTERPOL’s Files (CCF) has permanently deleted the Red Notice issued against former Ghanaian Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, after determining that the alert was of a predominantly political character and did not comply with the organisation’s rules.
In a public notice dated February 13, 2026, counsel for Mr. Ofori-Atta, Justice Kusi-Minkah Premo Esq, announced that the CCF reached its decision during its 135th session held on February 4, 2026. According to the statement, the commission concluded that the Red Notice “appears of a predominantly political character” and was therefore non-compliant with INTERPOL’s regulations.
As a result, the CCF ordered the permanent deletion of the notice from INTERPOL’s information systems.
INTERPOL Rules and Political Neutrality
Under its constitution, INTERPOL is prohibited from undertaking any intervention or activities of a political, military, religious, or racial character. The CCF serves as the independent oversight body responsible for ensuring that data processed through INTERPOL’s channels complies with its legal framework.
According to the statement from Mr. Ofori-Atta’s legal team, the CCF found that the data registered by the INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB) of Ghana did not meet the organisation’s standards and should therefore be removed.
A Red Notice is a request to law enforcement agencies worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition or similar legal action. While it is not an international arrest warrant, such notices often carry significant reputational, legal, and travel consequences.
The deletion means Mr. Ofori-Atta’s details will no longer appear in INTERPOL’s database, and member states will not act on the withdrawn alert.
MORE NEWS Zambian President Backs Ghana’s Fugu After Online Mockery
Background to the Case
Mr. Ofori-Atta served as Ghana’s Finance Minister from 2017 until early 2024 under former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
In June 2025, Ghana’s Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng, announced that his office had triggered a process for the issuance of an INTERPOL Red Notice. The move followed Mr. Ofori-Atta’s reported failure to honour multiple invitations for questioning in connection with ongoing corruption investigations.
At the time, the Office of the Special Prosecutor indicated that the action was part of broader efforts to secure his cooperation in the investigations.
The circumstances surrounding the Red Notice were linked to requests made through Ghana’s National Central Bureau to INTERPOL.
Legal and Political Implications
The CCF’s decision does not necessarily resolve any underlying investigations but addresses compliance with INTERPOL’s internal rules regarding neutrality and data processing.
Legal analysts note that the removal of the Red Notice may reduce international legal exposure for Mr. Ofori-Atta, particularly regarding cross-border travel and law enforcement cooperation. However, any domestic legal processes would remain subject to Ghana’s judicial system.
As developments continue, the case is likely to remain a significant point of discussion within Ghana’s political and legal landscape.
2 Comments