Deputy Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Dr Justice Srem Sai, has disclosed that former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta repeatedly declined diplomatic and legal assistance offered by Ghana’s Embassy in the United States following his detention by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
According to him, Ghana’s Ambassador to the United States, Victor Smith, made several attempts to visit Mr Ofori-Atta and extend state support, but all efforts were rejected.
The Deputy AG made the revelation while speaking on TV3’s Key Points on Saturday, January 10.
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“Our mission in the United States, in Washington, the ambassador, Victor Smith, has been making efforts to go and visit him and offer him the necessary support that a citizen is entitled to in such situations. Unfortunately, he seemed to have refused every effort that such assistance,” Dr Sai said.
He stressed that the government’s actions were motivated by constitutional duty rather than political considerations, noting that Ofori-Atta’s former status as a senior public official placed an obligation on the state to intervene.
“We are making every effort to offer him all the assistance he needs. When you are in a different country and situations like this occur, especially involving a former high-ranking official, the state owes you a duty of care,” he added.
The Deputy Attorney-General revealed that the assistance declined by Ofori-Atta went beyond routine consular visits and included legal and financial support aimed at easing his immigration challenges.
“If you need a lawyer, if you need financial support, anything that will help you to come out of that situation — he doesn’t want it. He said he didn’t need it and did not accept,” Dr Sai stated.
Ken Ofori-Atta, 66, was arrested by ICE agents on January 6, 2026, in Washington, DC, over concerns regarding his immigration status.
Dr Sai explained that the former finance minister’s U.S. visa was revoked in June 2025, leaving him without lawful status for several months before his arrest.
He is currently being held at the Caroline Detention Facility in Bowling Green, Virginia, while immigration proceedings continue.
In a public notice dated January 7, 2026, Ofori-Atta’s legal team — Menka-Premo, Osei-Bonsu, Bruce-Cathline and Partners — confirmed that their client has filed a petition for adjustment of status.
The lawyers argue that the application permits him to remain in the United States beyond his visa period under U.S. law and insist that he is fully cooperating with ICE authorities.
Ofori-Atta served as Minister for Finance from 2017 to 2024 under former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. He travelled to the U.S. in early 2025 for medical treatment, including prostate cancer surgery.
He is currently wanted by Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) in relation to multiple corruption-related investigations, including the Strategic Mobilisation Limited (SML) deal and the National Cathedral project.
Dr Sai said once Ofori-Atta returns to Ghana, he will be arrested and subjected to due legal processes, including the possibility of bail.