US Immigration Detains Former Ghanaian Finance Minister, Kenneth Ofori-Atta

Kenneth Ofori-Atta, the former finance minister of Ghana, has been detained by the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Kenneth Ofori-Atta’s lawyers confirmed the detention in a statement on Wednesday, saying it relates to the status of his stay in the U.S.

“The United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) as of yesterday, detained the former Minister for Finance, Mr. Ken Ofori-Atta, regarding the status of his current stay in the United States.

“His US legal team is in contact with ICE and expects the matter to be resolved expeditiously,’ the statement said, adding that Ofori-Atta was cooperating fully with immigration authorities.

Ofori-Atta has reportedly been in the United States for over a year for medical treatment. According to ICE’s online detainee records, he is currently being held at the Caroline detention facility.

The former minister has faced legal issues in Ghana. In February 2025, he was declared wanted for failing to attend interviews related to corruption allegations.

Later that year, in November 2025, Ghana filed formal charges against him and six others over corruption claims. By December 2025, the Ghanaian government had requested his extradition from the U.S.

Ofori-Atta served as Ghana’s finance minister from 2017 to 2024 under former President Nana Akufo-Addo.

KanyiDaily recalls that US President Donald Trump also recently announced the arrest of Venezuelan leader, Nicolas Maduro, and his wife.