United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has detained Ghana’s former Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta.
His legal team attributes this action to questions about his current immigration status.
In a statement released on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, his U.S. lawyers confirmed they are actively engaging with ICE.
Moreover, they expect to resolve the matter quickly. Specifically, the statement clarified that Ofori-Atta has a pending petition to adjust his status, a common legal process that permits an individual to remain in the U.S. beyond their visa’s expiration.
Consequently, the public statement emphasized that Ofori-Atta is cooperating fully with authorities. It also stressed his compliance with the law.
However, this detention occurs alongside serious legal challenges in Ghana. Notably, the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has charged Ofori-Atta and seven others with 78 counts related to public procurement contracts awarded to Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited (SML).
According to the OSP, the group conspired to influence the procurement process for SML’s benefit from 2017 onward.
Ofori-Atta has been in the United States since January 2025, stating he sought medical treatment. Meanwhile, Ghanaian authorities have taken several steps to secure his return.
For instance, they have placed him on an Interpol red notice and initiated extradition proceedings to face corruption investigations.
Importantly, Ofori-Atta is legally contesting both the red notice and the extradition request.
