US detains Ghana’s former finance minister over immigration status

United States immigration authorities have detained Ghana’s former Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta.

Ofori-Atta is wanted in Ghana over allegations of corruption, his lawyers have confirmed.

Ofori-Atta, 66, was taken into custody by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, ICE, on Tuesday over issues relating to his immigration status, according to a statement released by his legal team on Wednesday.

“His US legal team is in contact with ICE and expects the matter to be resolved expeditiously,” the statement added

The lawyers said Ofori-Atta has been in the United States since January 2025 for medical treatment, including surgery for prostate cancer, and had applied for an extension of his stay.

They noted that his US legal team is in contact with ICE and expects the matter to be resolved quickly, adding that Ofori-Atta is fully cooperating with immigration authorities.

ICE’s online detainee database listed Ofori-Atta as being held at a detention facility in the US state of Virginia.

In Ghana, Ofori-Atta was declared a fugitive in February 2025 and formally charged with corruption-related offences in November.

He served as finance minister from 2017 to 2024 under former President Nana Akufo-Addo, during which time he oversaw controversial tax reforms and negotiations with the International Monetary Fund.