Ghana’s former Finance Minister, Kenneth Nana Yaw Ofori-Atta, declined to meet with Ghanaian consular officials without his legal representatives present after being detained by United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The Embassy of Ghana in Washington, D.C., confirmed it had verified his detention and attempted to provide consular support, but was informed that Mr. Ofori-Atta would not engage them without his lawyers.
He was taken into custody on January 6, 2026, and is being held at the Caroline Detention Facility in Virginia.
According to Ghana’s Attorney-General, the former minister’s U.S. visa was revoked in July 2025, and he had failed to leave the country by the November 29, 2025 deadline.
The embassy stated it remains in contact with U.S. authorities to ensure Mr. Ofori-Atta’s rights are respected.
