Ghana’s Ex Finance Minister Detained in US

United States immigration authorities have taken into custody Ghana’s former Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, over issues related to his immigration status.

Ofori-Atta, who is wanted by authorities in Ghana in connection with alleged corruption cases, was detained on Tuesday by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). His legal representatives confirmed the development in a statement issued on Wednesday.

According to his lawyers, the 66-year-old former minister was detained in relation to immigration documentation matters. They said the situation is being actively managed, with ongoing engagements between his legal team and relevant US authorities.

The legal team disclosed that Ofori-Atta has been in the United States since January 2025 for medical reasons, including undergoing surgery for prostate cancer, and had applied for an extension of his stay. They added that he is fully cooperating with immigration officials and expressed confidence that the issue would be resolved promptly.

ICE’s public detainee database shows that Ofori-Atta is currently being held at a detention facility in the state of Virginia.

In Ghana, the former finance minister was declared a fugitive in February 2025 and was formally charged with corruption-related offences in November of the same year. Ofori-Atta served as Ghana’s finance minister between 2017 and 2024 under former President Nana Akufo-Addo, a period marked by major tax reforms and negotiations with the International Monetary Fund.