Ghana’s former Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, who is wanted in his home country on suspicion of corruption, has been detained in the United States by immigration authorities over issues related to his stay in the country, his lawyers have confirmed. According to his legal team, United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) took Ofori-Atta into custody on Tuesday in connection with questions about his immigration status as he sought to adjust his permission to remain in the U.S. beyond the validity of his visa. His lawyers said he is cooperating with authorities and expects the matter to be resolved “expeditiously.” Ofori-Atta, who served as Ghana’s finance minister from 2017 to 2024 under former president Nana Akufo-Addo, has been in the United States since January 2025 reportedly for medical treatment, including surgery for prostate cancer. He has been out of Ghana while also facing legal challenges at home.
[The Telegraph Nigeria][2])In Ghana, he has been linked to dozens of corruption charges related to his time in office, and the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) declared him a fugitive in February 2025 after he failed to appear for questioning, later placing an Interpol red notice for his return. A formal extradition request to U.S. authorities was submitted in December 2025, though Ofori-Atta’s lawyers have challenged the allegations and said they are politically motivated. ([Pulse Ghana][3])Legal observers have clarified that his detention by ICE is about immigration status, not criminal charges under U.S. law, and his legal team is working with authorities to address it. ([Bloomberg][4])The situation continues to develop as Ghanaian and U.S. authorities address both the immigration issue and Ghana’s ongoing legal requests.
