Former Minister Kenneth Ofori-Atta has been detained by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in the United States. According to the Ghanaian Embassy in Washington:
“The Embassy has contacted the relevant detention facility to request access to an Official for consular assistance in accordance with established diplomatic and international protocols. The Embassy has been informed, <…> that the detainee refused to communicate with consular officials without the presence of his lawyers,”
The Ghanaian diplomatic mission noted that they are in touch with the US authorities “to ensure full respect for the rights” of the former finance minister.
The reasons for his detention were not given, but in June 2025, Interpol put him on the wanted list after an official request from the Office of the Special Prosecutor of Ghana. The ex-minister is accused of using his official position for personal gain.
Extradiction Request
The Ghanaian government has announced the formal transmission of an extradition request to the United States Department of Justice for the country’s former Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta.
Ghana’s Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, said the request follows an intensive investigation by the Office of the Special Prosecutor. This investigation resulted in 78 criminal charges being filed at the High Court against the former minister and his technical adviser, Ernest Darko Akore, involving allegations of causing financial loss to the state and using public office for private benefit.
The Justice Minister acknowledged that extradition is a complex legal process, noting that the decision on whether to return the former minister to Ghana now rests with U.S. judicial authorities. The Minister also noted that President John Dramani Mahama remains steadfast in his commitment to ensuring accountability and the recovery of state assets.
A court hearing is scheduled for January 20, 2026, before an immigration judge to determine whether he will be released, granted legal status, or face deportation to Ghana. The case has drawn significant attention due to its diplomatic, legal, and political implications, with Ghana seeking to recover misappropriated public funds through its Operation Recover All Loots (ORAL) initiative.
