Washington: The Embassy of Ghana in Washington, DC, has confirmed that Ghana’s former Minister for Finance, Kenneth Nana Yaw Ofori-Atta, has been taken into custody by the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). In a press release issued on Friday, January 10, 2026, and signed by Ghana’s Ambassador to the United States, Victor Emmanuel Smith, the Embassy disclosed that it received information regarding Ofori-Atta’s detention and promptly took steps to verify the circumstances surrounding the matter.
According to Ghana Web, following confirmation of the detention, the Embassy formally contacted the relevant detention facility to request access to Ofori-Atta in order to provide consular assistance, in line with established diplomatic and international protocols. However, officials at the facility informed the Embassy that Ofori-Atta declined to engage with consular officers at the time, indicating that he wished to do so only in the presence of his lawyers.
The statement further elaborated that the Embassy undertook the necessary steps to verify the situation upon receiving the initial information. It emphasized the Embassy’s commitment to ensure that Ofori-Atta’s rights are respected, maintaining contact with the appropriate United States authorities to closely follow the developments.
Ken Ofori-Atta has been charged with corruption and corruption-related offenses in Ghana due to his involvement in the SML scandal. The government of Ghana has requested his extradition from the United States government.