Former Ghanaian finance minister Ken Ofori-Atta has been detained by United States immigration authorities over issues linked to his immigration status, according to his legal team.
Ofori-Atta, 66, has been in the United States since January last year receiving medical treatment, including surgery for prostate cancer. He is currently wanted in Ghana over suspicions of corruption and was declared a fugitive in February last year before being formally charged in November.
His lawyers disclosed that the detention followed his application to extend his stay in the U.S. Officials of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) reportedly took him into custody on Tuesday to review concerns surrounding his immigration status.
The legal team said the former minister is cooperating fully with U.S. authorities, adding that his lawyers in America are in active discussions with ICE and expect the matter to be resolved soon.
ICE’s online detention database indicates that Ofori-Atta is currently being held at a facility in Virginia.
Ofori-Atta served as Ghana’s finance minister from 2017 to 2024 under former president Nana Akufo-Addo. His tenure was marked by controversial tax reforms and his role in negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
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