Ken Ofori-Atta, Ghana’s former finance minister, has been detained by US immigration authorities over his residency status.
The 66-year-old, who is wanted in Ghana over suspected corruption, has been in the United States since January last year for medical treatment, including surgery related to prostate cancer.
In a statement released by his legal team, Ofori-Atta was taken into custody by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on Tuesday over issues connected to “the status of his current stay in the United States.”
His lawyers said he had applied to extend his stay while receiving medical care.
“His US legal team is in contact with ICE and expects the matter to be resolved expeditiously,” the statement said, adding that Ofori-Atta is cooperating fully with immigration authorities.
Ofori-Atta was declared a fugitive by Ghanaian authorities in February last year and was formally charged with corruption in November, allegations he has not publicly addressed in detail.
ICE’s online detention records list him as being held at a facility in Virginia, according to available information.
Ofori-Atta served as Ghana’s finance minister from 2017 to 2024 under former president Nana Akufo-Addo.
His tenure was marked by controversial tax reforms and negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) during Ghana’s recent economic crisis.
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