The Embassy of Ghana in Washington, DC, has confirmed that former Finance Minister, Kenneth Nana Yaw Ofori-Atta, is currently in the custody of the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
In a press release signed by Ghana’s Ambassador to the United States, Victor Emmanuel Smith, and dated Saturday January 10, 2026, the Embassy said it received information about Mr Ofori-Atta’s detention and immediately took steps to verify the circumstances surrounding the matter.
Following confirmation, the Embassy formally contacted the relevant detention facility to request access to him in order to offer consular assistance in line with diplomatic and international protocols.
However, the Embassy disclosed that it was informed by officials at the detention facility that Mr Ofori-Atta declined to meet consular officers at that time, indicating that he would only engage with them in the presence of his lawyers.
“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 fully respected,” the statement said.
Meanwhile, investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni has provided further details on the arrest, describing it as a targeted operation by US authorities. Speaking on The Big Issue on Channel One TV on Saturday, January 10, 2026, Manasseh said sources who witnessed the arrest confirmed that Mr Ofori-Atta was picked up from the Westlight building, a high-end residential complex located at 1111 24th Street in Northwest Washington, DC.
According to him, the former finance minister, who reportedly lived in the building with his wife and son, was arrested at about 11 a.m. on Tuesday, January 6, as he was exiting the premises. The Westlight building is situated in one of Washington, DC’s most affluent neighbourhoods, about a 20-minute walk from the White House, and is known to house prominent personalities.
Manasseh noted that former US Vice President Kamala Harris previously lived in the same complex and sold her two-bedroom apartment for about $1.85 million after her election. He added that while it is unclear whether Mr Ofori-Atta owns or rents the apartment, sources say he had been residing there until the day of his arrest.
He further explained that the manner in which ICE carried out the arrest suggests it was not a routine immigration sweep but a deliberate and targeted operation. According to him, ICE typically conducts mass arrests in public places, making the focused nature of this operation noteworthy.
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