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The United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has detained former Minister for Finance, Mr. Ken Ofori-Atta, over matters relating to the status of his current stay in the United States.
According to a public notice issued on Tuesday, January 7, 2026, Mr. Ofori-Atta’s US legal team is in contact with ICE and expects the issue to be resolved expeditiously.
“Mr. Ofori-Atta has a pending petition for adjustment of status, which authorizes a person to stay in the United States legally beyond the period of validity of their visa,” the notice stated, adding that such a process is common under US law.
The notice further assured the public that the former finance minister is cooperating fully with immigration authorities. “The public is therefore advised to note that Mr. Ken Ofori-Atta, as a law-abiding person, is fully cooperating with ICE to have this issue resolved,” it said.
Separately, Ghana’s Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has declared Mr. Ofori-Atta a wanted person in connection with multiple corruption and financial loss investigations, including contracts involving Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited (SML) and the controversial National Cathedral project.
The Special Prosecutor previously urged Mr. Ofori-Atta to return to Ghana to face questioning on alleged irregularities, warning: “You have two choices: either return to the jurisdiction voluntarily or the OSP will enforce your return.”
Ghana’s Attorney-General recently transmitted a formal extradition request for Mr. Ofori-Atta to US authorities, stating there are 78 corruption-related charges that he and a former aide should answer to in Ghana.
Opposition figures have criticised the handling of the matter, with some calling the OSP’s actions mere “noise” that will soon fade if due legal processes are not pursued diligently.
Mr. Ofori-Atta’s legal team maintains he is not avoiding prosecution and insists he will participate in proceedings when formally presented, while stressing his current focus is on resolving both immigration and legal challenges.
Source: Ghana/channel247online.com/Emmanuel Mensah
