OSP Charges Ofori-Atta, SML and Officials in GHS 1.4bn Case

The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has filed criminal charges against former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited (SML), and six other high-profile individuals for alleged corruption and corruption-related offences.

In total, 78 charges have been levelled against the group. Those charged include Ernest Darko Akore, 67, former Chef de Cabinet at the Ministry of Finance; Emmanuel Kofi Nti, 66, former Commissioner-General of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA); and Ammishaddai Owusu-Amoah, 64, another former Commissioner-General of the GRA.

The charge sheet also lists Isaac Crentsil, 63, former Commissioner of the Customs Division of the GRA; Kwadwo Damoah, 65, also a former Commissioner of the Customs Division; and Evans Adusei, 62, the CEO and principal figure behind SML. Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Ltd—formerly Strategic Mobilisation Enhancement Ltd—is itself cited as an accused entity.

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These developments follow President John Mahama’s October 31 directive ordering the immediate termination of all SML-related contracts, issued after the OSP submitted its findings on the controversial revenue assurance arrangement.

Government officials say the decision reflects a renewed commitment to transparency and prudent management of public funds.

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The SML contract issues had generated months of heightened national debate, culminating in a full-scale OSP investigation. The Finance Ministry has since been instructed to ensure that the cancellation of contracts is executed in accordance with all legal and financial protocols.

The move to prosecute follows several unsuccessful attempts by the OSP to secure Mr Ofori-Atta’s appearance. The former minister, currently outside Ghana, is now the subject of an ongoing extradition process initiated by the OSP.

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According to the details in the charge sheet, the accused individuals are implicated in what investigators describe as a sophisticated, long-running scheme involving collusion between senior government officials and SML.

Prosecutors allege that this network defrauded the state of over GHS 1.4 billion through irregularly awarded contracts and payments for services that were either improperly rendered or not provided at all.

If proven, the case could become one of the most significant corruption prosecutions in Ghana’s recent history, with wide-ranging implications for public sector accountability and governance.