Ken Ofori-Atta
The Embassy of Ghana in Washington, DC, has confirmed that former Minister for Finance, Kenneth Nana Yaw Ofori-Atta, has been taken into custody by the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
In a statement issued yesterday and signed by Ghana’s Ambassador to the United States, Victor Emmanuel Smith, the Embassy said the detention had triggered diplomatic engagement to ensure Ofori-Atta’s rights are protected.
The statement further noted that the Embassy received information regarding Mr. Ofori-Atta’s detention and immediately took steps to verify the circumstances surrounding the matter.
“Upon receiving this information, the Embassy undertook the necessary steps to verify the circumstances surrounding the matter,” the statement said, highlighting that Ghana’s diplomatic mission acted promptly.
Following confirmation of the detention, the Embassy formally contacted the relevant ICE facility to request access to the former Finance Minister in order to provide consular assistance, the statement noted.
According to the Embassy, this request was made in line with established diplomatic practice and international protocols governing the treatment and support of nationals detained abroad.
However, officials at the detention facility informed the Embassy that Mr. Ofori-Atta declined to engage with Ghanaian consular officials at that time, preferring to do so only in the presence of his legal representatives.
“The Embassy was informed by the facility that the detainee declined to engage with consular officials at that time without his lawyers present,” the statement said, underscoring that the decision was made by Mr. Ofori-Atta himself.
Despite this, the Embassy stressed that it remains actively engaged in the matter. It said it is maintaining contact with the appropriate United States authorities and will continue to monitor developments closely to ensure that the former minister’s rights are fully respected throughout the process.
“The Embassy of Ghana remains in contact with the appropriate United States authorities and will continue to follow the matter closely to ensure that Mr. Ofori-Atta’s rights are fully respected,” Ambassador Smith assured.
Mr. Ofori-Atta, who served as Minister for Finance for seven years, was arrested on January 7, 2026, by ICE over alleged immigration offences.
His legal team, in a separate statement, confirmed his arrest and detention, noting that he is cooperating fully with the authorities.
The statement indicated that Mr. Ofori-Atta has a pending petition for adjustment of his status, a process under US law that allows an individual to remain legally in the country beyond his permissible status.
News of his detention has already sparked intense public interest and political commentary in the country, though the Embassy’s statement did not provide details on the specific immigration or legal issues that led to ICE taking him into custody.
His legal team, however, emphasised that the matter is a common immigration procedure, which they expect to be resolved expeditiously.
The statement stressed that Mr. Ofori-Atta remains a law-abiding individual and is working closely with US immigration authorities to regularise his status while continuing his medical recovery.
His stay in the US has also been affected by an ongoing legal issue in Ghana. In November 2025, the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) charged him and others with corruption and related offences, and subsequently issued a red alert for his arrest.
By Ernest Kofi Adu