Ghana’s former Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, has been taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), his lawyers confirmed.
Ofori-Atta, 66, has been in the United States since January 2025 for medical treatment, including surgery for prostate cancer. During his stay, he applied for an extension of his visa.
The detention on Tuesday is related to “the status of his current stay in the United States,” according to a statement from his legal team. They emphasized his cooperation with authorities and expect the matter to be resolved quickly.
Ofori-Atta, who served from 2017 to 2024, was declared a fugitive by Ghanaian authorities in February 2025 and formally charged with corruption in November. He oversaw major tax reforms and IMF negotiations during his tenure.
He is currently listed as being held at a detention facility in the state of Virginia.
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Disclaimer:
This report is based on statements from the individual’s lawyers and international news agency reports. All legal matters are subject to judicial process.
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