Former Finance Minister Kenneth Nana Yaw Ofori-Atta is presently being held by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), according to the Ghanaian Embassy in Washington, DC.
In a press announcement dated Saturday, January 10, 2026, and signed by Victor Emmanuel Smith, Ghana’s ambassador to the United States, the Embassy stated that it was informed of Mr. Ofori-Atta’s imprisonment and promptly took action to confirm the circumstances.
In order to provide consular assistance in accordance with diplomatic and international standards, the Embassy formally contacted the appropriate prison facility after receiving confirmation and requested access to him.
But the Embassy revealed that it was told by detention facility officials that Mr. Ofori-Atta refused to meet consular agents at that time, saying he would only interact with them in the presence of his attorneys.
According to the statement, “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.”
Further information on the arrest has been released by investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni, who characterised it as a targeted operation by US authorities.
Speaking on Saturday, January 10, 2026, on Channel One’s The Big Issue, Manasseh stated that witnesses to the arrest verified that Mr. Ofori-Atta was taken from the Westlight building, a posh residential complex at 1111 24th Street in Northwest Washington, DC.
He reports that on Tuesday, January 6, at around 11 a.m., the former finance minister, who allegedly resided in the building with his wife and son, was taken into custody while exiting the building.
The Westlight building, which is home to well-known figures, is located in one of the wealthiest neighbourhoods in Washington, DC, and is only a 20-minute walk from the White House.
Manasseh pointed out that Kamala Harris, the former vice president of the United States, had previously resided in the same complex and had sold her two-bedroom condo for almost $1.85 million following her election.
Although it’s unknown if Mr. Ofori-Atta owns or rents the flat, he continued, sources claim he lived there until the day of his arrest.
He went on to say that the way ICE conducted the arrest indicates it was a purposeful and targeted operation rather than a standard immigration sweep.
He claims that ICE usually makes large-scale arrests in public areas, therefore this operation’s concentration is notable.
Full Statement Below:
Source: newsthemegh.com