Ghana’s former finance minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, who is wanted at home on suspicion of corruption, has been detained by United States immigration authorities, his lawyers have confirmed.
Ofori-Atta, 66, was taken into custody on Tuesday by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) over issues related to his immigration status, according to a statement released by his legal team late Wednesday.
The former minister has been in the United States since January last year to receive medical treatment, including surgery for prostate cancer. His lawyers said he had applied to extend his stay in the country.
“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 immigration authorities.
ICE’s online detainee database listed Ofori-Atta as being held at a facility in the US state of Virginia.
Ofori-Atta was declared a fugitive by Ghanaian authorities in February last year and was formally charged with corruption in November. He served as Ghana’s finance minister from 2017 to 2024 under former president Nana Akufo-Addo, a period marked by controversial tax reforms and negotiations with the International Monetary Fund.
