Ken Ofori-Atta, Ghana’s former Finance Minister, has declined consular assistance from Ghana’s Embassy in the US, citing the need for his lawyers to be present. According to the Ghana Embassy in Washington, Ofori-Atta was detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the embassy had offered assistance.
The embassy, led by Ambassador Victor Emmanuel Smith, confirmed Ofori-Atta’s detention and stated that it had formally requested access to him. However, officials at the detention facility indicated that Ofori-Atta refused to engage with embassy officials without his lawyers present.
Ofori-Atta’s detention is linked to his immigration status, with his visa having been revoked in July 2025. He was given until November 29, 2025, to leave the US voluntarily. A public notice from his Ghana-based law firm, Minkah-Premo, Osei-Bonsu, Bruce-Cathline and Partners, stated that Ofori-Atta has a pending petition for adjustment of status, allowing him to stay in the US legally.
The Ghana Embassy assures that it will continue to monitor the situation closely to ensure Ofori-Atta’s rights are respected. The embassy’s statement emphasized that Ofori-Atta’s decision was personal and did not amount to a denial of access by US authorities.
Ofori-Atta’s detention has sparked public interest, with some calling for his repatriation to Ghana to face scrutiny. His international lawyer, Enayat Qasimi, claims the case is politically motivated and Ofori-Atta is not being given his rights under Ghanaian law.
Author: Korkor Anumu
