Ken Ofori-Atta, Ghana’s longtime former finance minister, was detained this week by the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The detention has drawn attention in Ghana, where Mr. Ofori-Atta faces serious criminal charges, and raises questions about his future as Ghana pursues his extradition.
Here’s what you need to know about the former Minister and his pending case:
Who is Ken Ofori-Atta?
Mr. Ofori-Atta, 66, served as Ghana’s minister of finance from 2017 to 2024 under President Nana Akufo-Addo, who is his cousin.
A banker and investment executive by background, he played a central role in managing Ghana’s economy during a turbulent period that included the Covid-19 pandemic and a subsequent debt crisis that led to a default and an International Monetary Fund bailout.
After leaving office following the election of President John Dramani Mahama in December 2024, Mr. Ofori-Atta traveled to the United States, citing medical treatment.
Why was he detained?
On Jan. 6, 2026, ICE detained Mr. Ofori-Atta over questions about the status of his stay in the United States, according to a public notice from his Ghana-based legal team.
His lawyers said he has a pending petition for adjustment of status — a common legal process that allows someone to remain in the country beyond a visa’s expiration while seeking permanent residency or other changes.
They described him as “law-abiding” and fully cooperating with authorities, adding that his American legal team was working to resolve the matter quickly.
He is being held at the Caroline Detention Facility, a former jail in Bowling Green, Va., repurposed for immigration detainees.
What is the context in Ghana?
Mr. Ofori-Atta’s detention comes as he faces corruption-related charges in Ghana brought by the Office of the Special Prosecutor.
He has been declared a fugitive, placed on an Interpol Red Notice, and charged in absentia alongside others in cases involving alleged improper procurement contracts.
The Ghanaian government has filed an extradition request, which his American lawyers have contested as politically motivated.
Critics in Ghana have long accused Mr. Ofori-Atta of mismanaging public funds and favoring family-connected businesses, charges he has denied.
What happens next?
Immigration detention over status issues can sometimes be resolved through legal filings or bond, particularly when a petitioner is cooperating.
However, the pending extradition request could complicate matters if the United States moves forward with Ghana’s bid to return him.
As of Wednesday, there were no indications of immediate release, though his lawyers expressed optimism about a swift resolution to the immigration matter.
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This article was edited with AI and reviewed by human editors
