Ghana’s diplomatic mission in Washington has moved to assert consular safeguards after confirming that former Finance Minister Kenneth Nana Yaw Ofori-Atta is being held by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, underscoring how high-profile detentions abroad are managed under international protocol.
In a statement issued on January 10, 2026, the Embassy said it acted immediately after receiving information about Mr. Ofori-Atta’s detention, initiating verification processes and formally requesting access to him to provide consular assistance. Such access is standard practice under diplomatic conventions when a national is detained overseas, particularly in cases involving senior public officials.
The Embassy, however, noted that U.S. authorities informed it that Mr. Ofori-Atta declined to meet Ghanaian consular officials at that stage, choosing instead to engage only in the presence of his lawyers. Diplomats say this highlights the legal autonomy detainees retain in foreign jurisdictions, even as embassies remain responsible for safeguarding their citizens’ rights.
While the reasons for the detention were not disclosed, the Embassy stressed that it remains in active contact with U.S. authorities and is closely monitoring developments to ensure due process is observed.
Beyond the individual case, the incident draws attention to the practical limits and responsibilities of consular protection, particularly when legal proceedings intersect with immigration enforcement in host countries.
The Embassy’s statement, signed by Ambassador Victor Emmanuel Smith, reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to protecting the rights of its citizens abroad, while respecting the legal frameworks of partner countries, as the situation involving the former finance minister continues to unfold.
