Former Ghanaian Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta has been arrested in the United States by officials of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) over alleged immigration violations, triggering widespread reactions both in Ghana and abroad.
Ofori-Atta, who served as finance minister under the administration of former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, was taken into custody after authorities said he overstayed his visa while in the United States. He is reported to have travelled to the US for medical reasons but remained beyond the period permitted under his immigration status.
Following his arrest, the former minister reportedly pleaded with an immigration court for relief, citing health challenges and ongoing legal processes. His legal team has argued that he did not deliberately violate U.S. immigration laws and that applications related to his stay were being pursued in line with due process.
The arrest has added a new international dimension to Ofori-Atta’s legal troubles, as he is currently under investigation in Ghana over alleged corruption and financial mismanagement during his tenure as finance minister.
Ghanaian authorities have previously sought his appearance to answer questions related to several high-profile financial dealings.
Public reaction in Ghana has been mixed, with critics describing the arrest as a major embarrassment to the country’s political elite, while supporters have urged calm and called for respect for due legal procedures in both jurisdictions.
As legal proceedings continue in the United States, attention is now focused on whether the case could lead to deportation or possible extradition to Ghana, a development that could significantly shape the next phase of the former minister’s legal and political saga.
