Former Minister for Finance, Mr. Kenneth Nana Yaw Ofori-Atta declined consular assistance from the Embassy of Ghana in Washington, DC, insisting on the presence of his lawyers before engaging embassy officials, according to an official statement released by the mission.
In a press release dated January 10, 2026, signed by Ghana’s Ambassador to the United States, Victor Emmanuel Smith, the embassy confirmed that Mr. Ofori-Atta had been taken into custody by the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The statement said the embassy moved swiftly to verify the circumstances surrounding the detention after becoming aware of the development.
“Upon receiving this information, the Embassy undertook the necessary steps to verify the circumstances surrounding the matter,” the statement noted.
Following confirmation, the embassy said it formally contacted the relevant detention facility to request access to Mr. Ofori-Atta in order to provide consular assistance, in line with established diplomatic practice and international conventions, including the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, which guarantees detained foreign nationals the right to consular access.
However, embassy officials were informed by authorities at the detention facility that Mr. Ofori-Atta declined to engage with consular officers at that time, stating that he would only do so in the presence of his legal representatives.
“The Embassy was informed by the facility that the detainee declined to engage with consular officials without his lawyers present,” the statement said.
The embassy emphasised that the decision was Mr. Ofori-Atta’s personal choice and did not amount to a denial of access by US authorities.
It added that the mission remains in active contact with the appropriate United States authorities and is closely monitoring developments to ensure that the former minister’s rights and welfare are fully respected throughout the process.
While the statement did not disclose the specific grounds for Mr. Ofori-Atta’s detention, it indicated that the matter remains under active engagement between Ghanaian diplomatic officials and US authorities.
The embassy also refrained from commenting on any legal proceedings that may be pending, citing the need to respect due process.
Mr. Ofori-Atta, who served as Ghana’s finance minister for several years, is a prominent public figure whose tenure oversaw major fiscal and economic reforms, including negotiations with international financial institutions during periods of economic stress.
News of his detention has therefore generated significant public and political interest both in Ghana and among the Ghanaian diaspora in the United States.
Diplomatic sources say it is standard practice for embassies to offer consular support to nationals in detention, including welfare checks, facilitation of legal representation, and communication with family members.
Such assistance, however, can be declined by the detainee, particularly where legal counsel advises limited engagement pending formal proceedings.
The Embassy of Ghana reiterated its commitment to closely following the case and providing assistance should Mr. Ofori-Atta request it at a later stage.
“The Embassy of Ghana remains in contact with the appropriate United States authorities and will continue to follow the matter closely to ensure that Mr. Ofori-Atta’s rights are totally respected,” the statement assured.
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