Ken Ofori-Atta, a former Finance Minister, has been detained by the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), according to a public notice issued by his legal representatives.
The notice, issued on the night of January 7, 2026, by Minkah-Premo, Osei Bonsu, Bruce Cathline and Partners (MPOBB), said Mr Ofori-Atta was detained in relation to his current stay status in the United States.
According to the notice, signed by Justice Kusi Minka-Premo (Esq.), “His US legal team is in contact with ICE and expects the matter to be resolved expeditiously.”
It said Mr Ofori-Atta “has pending petition for adjustment of status, which authorizes a person to stay in the US legally past the period of validity of their visa.”
The notice said that under US law, a change of status by that method was common.
“The public is therefore advised to note that Mr Ken Ofori-Atta, as a law-abiding person, is fully cooperating with ICE to have this issued resolved,” it said.
The notice said the former Finance Minister had travelled to the United States following challenges with his health condition.
The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) had earlier placed Mr Ofori-Atta on a watchlist in connection with alleged financial malfeasance under investigation.
The OSP had subsequently filed charges against Mr Ofori-Atta and seven others before a High Court in Accra, in which they were alleged to have caused financial loss to the State in the Strategic Mobilisation Limited (SML) contract matter.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Sackey
8 Jan. 2026
