Former Ghanaian Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta Detained by U.S. Immigration

Ghana’s former Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, is currently being held by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) amid inquiries into his legal residency status within the country, a fact confirmed by his legal team. A statement released on the matter indicates that Mr. Ofori-Atta is providing his full cooperation to ICE, while his attorneys are engaging with authorities to achieve a rapid resolution of the situation.

Understanding the Residency Inquiry

His legal team clarified that Mr. Ofori-Atta has an active application for an adjustment of status, a standard U.S. legal procedure enabling foreign nationals to extend their lawful presence beyond their initial visa’s expiration. This common immigration process is anticipated to be settled promptly, according to his attorneys.

Medical Stay in the United States

This development arises as the former minister has been residing in the United States since January 2025 due to significant health issues. Mr. Ofori-Atta has been receiving medical care for prostate cancer, which was diagnosed in March 2025 after MRI scans and a biopsy indicated the cancer’s advancement, according to medical professionals.

On Friday, June 13, he underwent a radical prostatectomy at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Physicians deemed this surgical procedure crucial after diagnostic tests showed an accelerated proliferation of cancer cells within the prostate. Family sources reported that he had been under continuous treatment and close observation in the U.S. for several weeks prior to the operation.

Beyond his cancer diagnosis, Mr. Ofori-Atta is also dealing with Post-COVID Multi-System Inflammatory Response Syndrome, identified in February 2021, which necessitates continuous medical supervision.

Context: Tenure as Ghana’s Finance Minister

From 2017 to 2023, Mr. Ofori-Atta held the position of Ghana’s Finance Minister. During his tenure, he was responsible for managing the national economy through challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic, periods of financial instability, and discussions with the International Monetary Fund.

Legal Challenges in Ghana

Concurrently with his residence in the U.S., Mr. Ofori-Atta faces legal complications in Ghana. In November 2025, the Office of the Special Prosecutor filed charges against him and other individuals for corruption and related offenses, with the case presently in the case management conference phase.

The statement reiterated Mr. Ofori-Atta’s commitment to obeying the law, affirming that he is actively collaborating with U.S. immigration officials to formalize his status while simultaneously focusing on his ongoing medical recuperation.