The Embassy of Ghana in Washington, DC, has confirmed that former Finance Minister Kenneth Nana Yaw Ofori-Atta is currently being held by the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
In a statement issued on Saturday, January 10, and signed by Ghana’s Ambassador to the United States, Victor Emmanuel Smith, the Embassy said it received official notification that Mr Ofori-Atta had been taken into ICE custody, prompting immediate efforts to verify the details surrounding his detention.
The Embassy said that following confirmation, it formally contacted the relevant detention facility to request access to Mr Ofori-Atta in order to provide consular assistance, in accordance with established diplomatic and international protocols.
However, officials at the facility reportedly informed the Embassy that Mr Ofori-Atta declined to meet consular officers at the time, stating that he preferred to do so only in the presence of his legal representatives.
“The Embassy of Ghana remains in contact with the appropriate United States authorities and will continue to closely monitor the situation to ensure that Mr Ofori-Atta’s rights are fully respected,” the statement said.
