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July 21, 2026
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US Judge says OSP failed to provide evidence linking Ofori-Atta to criminal wrongdoing
Money
Policy
Key Points
- A US immigration judge ruled that Ghana’s Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) failed to provide persuasive evidence of criminal wrongdoing by former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta.
- The ruling was made on June 15, 2026, during Mr. Ofori-Atta’s application for adjustment of status in the United States.
- The Department of Homeland Security had opposed his application, citing pending criminal charges filed against him by the OSP in Ghana.
- Judge David Gardey found no convincing evidence that Mr. Ofori-Atta engaged in criminal activity or personally benefited from his public role, after reviewing the OSP's affidavit.
- The court also noted Mr. Ofori-Atta's credible denial of receiving benefits and referenced a KPMG review that identified SML contract inefficiencies but no criminal wrongdoing by him.
Why This Matters
This ruling from an international court could significantly impact the credibility and effectiveness of Ghana's Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) in prosecuting high-profile corruption cases. It raises critical questions about the quality of evidence presented by anti-corruption bodies, potentially affecting public trust in Ghana's institutions and future efforts to combat corruption within the government.
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