Former Minister of Finance Ken Ofori-Atta is a suspect in many corruption investigations in Ghana
Former Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, has reportedly been detained by the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
According to a public notice by his lawyers, on January 7, 2026, the former finance minister was arrested in relation to the status of his current stay in the United States.
“The United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), as of yesterday (6 January 2026), detained the former Minister for Finance, Mr Ken Ofori-Atta, regarding the status of his current stay in the United States. His US legal team is in contact with ICE and expects the matter to be resolved expeditiously,” part of the public notice signed by Justice Kusi-Minkah Premo read.
The lawyers of the former finance minister, who is a suspect in many corruption-related investigations and has been declared a wanted fugitive in Ghana, said that he is currently working on documents regarding his stay in the US.
Government files extradition request for Ken Ofori-Atta
“Mr Ofori-Atta has a pending petition for adjustment of status, which authorises a person to stay in the US legally beyond the period of validity of their visa. Under US law, a change of status by this method is common.
“The public is, therefore, advised to note that he is a law-abiding person and is fully cooperating with ICE to have this issue resolved. His legal team is in contact with ICE and working to resolve the matter as expeditiously as possible,” the public notice issued by Mr Ofori-Atta’s lawyers further read.
Ofori-Atta is a suspect in multiple criminal investigations by Ghana’s Office of the Special Prosecutor, which declared him wanted and placed him on an Interpol Red Notice.
Below are the cases the OSP has declared Ofori-Atta wanted for:
1. Contractual arrangements between Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited and the Ghana Revenue Authority, aimed at enhancing revenue assurance in the downstream petroleum sector, upstream petroleum production, and the minerals and metals resources value chain.
2. Termination of a contract between the Electricity Company of Ghana Limited and Beijing Xiao Cheng Technology (BXC) for the Distribution, Loss Reduction, and Associated Network Improvement Project.
3. Procurement of contractors, materials, and payments related to the National Cathedral project.
4. Activities and payments associated with a contract awarded by the Ministry of Health (initially commenced by the Ministry for Special Development Initiatives) to Service Ghana Auto Group Limited for the purchase and after-sales service and maintenance of 307 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 305 CDI ambulances for the National Ambulance Service.
5. Payments and utilisation of funds from the Tax Refund Account of the Ghana Revenue Authority.
See the notice below:
BAI
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