US Immigration Detains Ghana Former Finance Minister

Ghana’s former Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, has been detained by United States immigration authorities amid corruption allegations in his home country, his lawyers have confirmed.

Ofori-Atta, 66, who is wanted in Ghana on suspicion of corruption, has been in the United States since January last year for medical treatment, including surgery for prostate cancer. He was declared a fugitive by Ghanaian authorities in February and was formally charged with corruption in November.

According to a statement issued by his legal team late Wednesday, Ofori-Atta was taken into custody on Tuesday by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) over issues relating to “the status of his current stay in the United States.” The lawyers explained that the former minister had applied for an extension of his stay while undergoing medical care.

“His US legal team is in contact with ICE and expects the matter to be resolved expeditiously,” the statement said, adding that Ofori-Atta is fully cooperating with US immigration authorities.

ICE’s online detainee locator confirmed that Ofori-Atta is being held at a facility in the US state of Virginia.

Ofori-Atta served as Ghana’s finance minister from 2017 to 2024 under former President Nana Akufo-Addo, a period marked by controversial tax reforms and high-profile negotiations with the International Monetary Fund as the country grappled with severe economic challenges.

His detention comes as Ghanaian authorities continue efforts to hold him accountable over alleged financial misconduct during his time in office.