The United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has detained former Ghanaian Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta.
Ofori-Atta’s lawyers confirmed the detention in a statement released on Wednesday, explaining that the former minister has a pending petition regarding the status of his stay in the US.
“The United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) as of yesterday, detained the former Minister for Finance, Mr. Ken Ofori-Atta, regarding the status of his current stay in the United States,” the statement read. “His US legal team is in contact with ICE and expects the matter to be resolved expeditiously.”
Reports indicate that Ofori-Atta has been in the US for over a year for medical treatment. ICE records show he is currently being held at the Caroline detention facility.
Ofori-Atta, who served as Ghana’s Finance Minister from 2017 to 2024 under former President Nana Akufo-Addo, has faced legal challenges in Ghana. In February 2025, he was declared wanted by Ghanaian authorities after failing to attend interviews linked to corruption allegations. Later that year, in November 2025, the government filed charges against him and six others, and in December 2025, requested his extradition from the US.
His detention comes amid ongoing legal proceedings regarding his status and past allegations in Ghana.
