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The prosecution of former Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, and seven other accused persons officially begins today, Thursday, December 11, marking the opening of one of Ghana’s most closely watched corruption trials in recent years.
The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) confirmed the start of the proceedings in a post on its official social media platforms, stating that the trial of “Kenneth Ofori-Atta and 7 others” is expected to commence at Criminal Court 5.
This development follows the filing of a 78-count indictment in November 2025, in which the former Finance Minister and the other accused persons were charged with various corruption and corruption-related offences, including causing financial loss to the state. The charges stem from matters linked to Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited (SML) and alleged procurement breaches that occurred between 2018 and 2024.
The co-accused in the case are Ernest Darko Akore, Emmanuel Kofi Nti, Ammishaddai Owusu-Amoah, Isaac Crentsil, Kwadwo Damoah, Evans Adusei and Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited as a corporate body.
According to the prosecution’s summary, the accused allegedly engaged in irregular contract actions, unlawful payments, and violations of procurement procedures that the OSP says resulted in significant financial loss to the Republic of Ghana.
The indictment follows extensive investigations by the OSP into the controversial SML revenue assurance contracts, which had long faced scrutiny from civil society organisations, anti-corruption agencies and the general public.
Proceedings at Criminal Court 5 today are expected to frame the direction of what analysts anticipate will be a lengthy and consequential trial. Legal experts say the case will serve as a significant test of Ghana’s anti-corruption systems, institutional strength and prosecutorial resolve.
