Name: Ghanas ex-finance minister Ken Ofori-Atta detained by U.S. authorities
Uploaded: 2026-01-08T12:08:43.512Z
Duration: 1 min 1 s
Description: Ghana’s former finance minister Ken Ofori Atta has been detained by US authorities, his lawyer said late on Wednesday.

Ghana’s former finance minister Ken Ofori Atta has been detained by US authorities, his lawyer said late on Wednesday.

Virginia

Ken Ofori-Atta, the former finance minister of Ghana, has been detained by US authorities in Virginia while undergoing medical treatment, according to his lawyer. Ofori-Atta is wanted in Ghana on suspicion of corruption, was declared a fugitive in February, and was formally charged in November. 

His lawyer stated that the detention is related to his immigration status in the United States and expects the matter to be resolved quickly. Ofori-Atta, who served as finance minister from 2017 to 2024, is listed as being held in a Virginia facility by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Ghana's ex-finance minister Ken Ofori-Atta detained by U.S. authorities

Ghana's former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Ata has been detained by US authorities, his lawyer said late on Wednesday. Ofori-Ata, who's in the US for medical treatment, is wanted at home on suspicion of corruption. He was declared a fugitive last February and formally charged in November. He was detained over the status of his current stay in the United States, his lawyer said, adding that he expects the matter to be resolved expeditiously. The US Immigration and Customs Enforcement database lists Ofori-Ata as being held in a facility in the state of Virginia. The 66-year-old served as Finance Minister from 2017 to 2024 under former President Nana Akufo-Addo. He oversaw contentious tax reforms and negotiations with the International Monetary Fund.

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