The name of Ghana's former finance minister Ken Ofori-Atta has been removed from the detainee list of the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

This follows his earlier arrest and detention by ICE on January 6, 2026. After his arrest, Ofori-Atta was listed as an “illegal alien” on the official ICE website, which included details such as his name, country of birth, immigration status, and detention facility.

US ICE labels Ken Ofori-Atta as 'illegal alien' - Report

However, checks by GhanaWeb on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, found no matching records for Ofori-Atta on the ICE website, suggesting a possible change in his status.

The search result on the website read, "Your search has returned zero (0) matching records. Please re-check the search terms you entered to ensure they are correct and try your query again. Please remember that the system does not provide information for detainees under the age of 18. If you conducted a name-based search, only exact matches will be returned. You may want to try any name or spelling variants used by the detainee. If you are unable to find the detainee using the Online Detainee Locator System, please contact your local field office. For more information on the Missing Migrant Program, please visit [link]."

Earlier reports indicated that Ofori-Atta had overstayed his permitted period of admission in the United States. His lawyers confirmed his arrest in a public notice on January 7, 2026, citing the status of his current stay in the country.

“The United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), as of yesterday (6 January 2026), detained the former Minister for Finance, 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,” the notice, signed by Justice Kusi-Minkah Premo, stated.

The notice added that Ken Ofori-Atta is currently working on documents regarding his stay in the US.

“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 notice further stated.

Ken Ofori-Atta is also a suspect in multiple criminal investigations by Ghana’s Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), which has declared him wanted and placed him on an Interpol Red Notice.

The OSP has listed the following cases for which Ofori-Atta is wanted:

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.

Ken Ofori-Atta detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

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, 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.

Check out screenshot of the search result below:



MAG/MA