Ghana’s Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Dr Dominic Ayine, has confirmed that former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta’s United States visa was officially revoked in July 2025. He clarified that Ofori-Atta’s recent detention in the US is linked to this revocation, not a simple visa overstay.
Dr Ayine explained that after the visa was withdrawn, Ofori-Atta was given a deadline of November 29, 2025, to leave the country voluntarily. His failure to depart within this period led to action by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The Attorney-General emphasized that the case is part of ongoing legal cooperation between Ghanaian and US authorities and is connected to investigations and potential extradition matters.
Dr Ayine noted that ICE initially planned to detain Ofori-Atta on January 4, 2026, but the operation was carried out on January 6 in Virginia. Ofori-Atta’s legal team has filed a petition to adjust his immigration status while the matter is being resolved.
Officials have stressed the importance of clarifying the situation to prevent misinformation and ensure the public understands the legal context of his detention.
