The United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has detained Ghana’s former Minister for Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, over issues relating to his immigration status in the United States.
In a statement issued on Wednesday night, January 7, 2026, his lawyers—Minkah-Premo, Osei-Bonsu, Bruce-Cathline and Partners (MPOBB)—said the detention is linked to the status of his current stay in the U.S. and not any criminal matter. According to the statement, Mr. Ofori-Atta’s U.S. legal team is in active contact with ICE and expects the issue to be resolved “expeditiously.”
“Mr. Ofori-Atta has a pending petition for adjustment of status, which authorizes a person to remain in the United States legally beyond the validity period of their visa. Under U.S. law, a change of status through this process is common,” the statement said.
The lawyers further stressed that the former finance minister is law-abiding and fully cooperating with U.S. authorities to resolve the matter.
“The public is therefore advised to note that he is a law-abiding person and is fully cooperating with ICE to have this issue resolved,” the statement added.
Meanwhile, Mr. Ofori-Atta is facing legal troubles in Ghana. He and seven others have been charged with a total of 78 counts in relation to contracts awarded to Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited (SML).
The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) filed the charges in November 2025, alleging that the accused persons conspired to improperly influence the procurement process to secure unfair advantages for SML. The contracts relate to transaction audit services, external price verification, measurement audits of downstream petroleum products, upstream petroleum audit services, and minerals audit services for the Government of Ghana through the Ministry of Finance and the Ghana Revenue Authority. According to the OSP, the alleged criminal enterprise dates back to 2017.
Mr. Ofori-Atta has been in the United States since the beginning of 2025, a stay he has said is connected to medical treatment.The former finance minister has also been placed on an Interpol Red Notice at the request of the OSP, which has declared him wanted for alleged offences including using public office for profit. He is currently challenging the Red Notice in court.
In addition, the OSP has initiated extradition proceedings to compel his return to Ghana to face investigations into suspected corruption and corruption-related offences. That process is also under litigation by Mr. Ofori-Atta.