Ghana’s former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta has been detained by US immigration authorities, according to legal representatives familiar with the matter. The detention comes amid an ongoing extradition request from Ghanaian prosecutors who have charged Ofori-Atta with multiple corruption-related offenses.
Ofori-Atta’s legal team confirmed the detention while emphasizing their client’s compliance with US immigration procedures. The former minister was reportedly in the process of adjusting his immigration status to remain legally in the United States beyond his current visa’s validity period. His attorneys characterized the detention as a routine immigration matter that they expect to be resolved promptly.
The case represents a significant diplomatic challenge between the two nations, both of which maintain generally warm relations. Ghana had previously sought Ofori-Atta’s extradition to face charges including conspiracy to commit procurement fraud and causing financial loss to the state during his tenure from 2017 to 2024 under the New Patriotic Party administration.
Ofori-Atta’s lawyers have consistently challenged the extradition request, arguing that the allegations are politically motivated. The former minister left Ghana approximately one year ago for medical treatment, according to his legal representatives. While Ghanaian prosecutors briefly declared him a fugitive in February, this designation was withdrawn after assurances that he intended to cooperate with investigators.
The detention occurs against the backdrop of Ghana’s recent political transition. The New Patriotic Party lost power in December 2024 elections, leading to the presidency of John Mahama from the National Democratic Congress, who campaigned on an anti-corruption platform. The case tests the bilateral relationship between the US and Ghana, which have collaborated on repatriation matters despite occasional policy disagreements on international issues.