Washington: The Embassy of Ghana in Washington, DC, has revealed that former Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, has declined to meet with Ghanaian consular officials without the presence of his legal representatives. This decision follows the embassy’s confirmation of Ofori-Atta’s detention by the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
According to Ghana Web, the embassy released a statement, dated January 10, 2026, signed by Ambassador Victor Emmanuel Smith, disclosing that Ghanaian diplomats acted promptly to establish contact with US authorities upon learning of Ofori-Atta’s situation. The embassy’s intent was to provide consular assistance to Ofori-Atta, adhering to established diplomatic and international protocols.
The statement from the embassy confirmed that the former finance minister had been taken into custody by ICE. After receiving the information, the Ghanaian Embassy took necessary steps to verify the circumstances surrounding his detention. Following confirmation, the embassy reached out to the relevant detention facility to request access to Ofori-Atta to offer consular assistance. However, the officials at the facility informed the embassy that Ofori-Atta opted not to engage with consular officials without his lawyers present.
Ofori-Atta was arrested and detained on January 6, 2026, by ICE agents. He is a suspect in several criminal investigations by Ghana’s Office of the Special Prosecutor, which had declared him wanted and issued an Interpol Red Notice against him.
Source: Ghana Web