Ghana’s Ambassador to the United States, Victor Emmanuel Smith, has revealed that former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta has declined diplomatic assistance while in the custody of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). According to the Ghana Embassy in Washington, Ofori-Atta refused to meet with consular officials without his lawyers present.
The embassy confirmed Ofori-Atta’s detention and stated that it had taken steps to verify the circumstances surrounding his arrest. The Ghanaian diplomats had formally contacted the detention facility to request access to Ofori-Atta, but he declined to engage with them without his legal representatives.
Ofori-Atta, who served as Finance Minister from 2017 to 2024, was arrested and detained on January 6, 2026, by ICE agents. He is facing corruption charges in Ghana related to the SML scandal and other matters, with the government requesting his extradition from the US.
The Ghana Embassy remains in contact with US authorities and will continue to monitor the situation to ensure Ofori-Atta’s rights are respected. Ofori-Atta’s lawyers have stated that he is cooperating with ICE and expects the issue to be resolved swiftly.
Ofori-Atta’s detention has added an international dimension to his legal challenges, with proceedings ongoing in Ghana. The former minister had applied for an adjustment of his status in the US, which authorizes a person to stay in the country legally past the period of validity of their visa.
Author: Korkor Anumu
