Ofori-Atta declines meeting with Ghana Embassy in US at his detention center

The Embassy of Ghana in Washington, DC, has confirmed that former Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, is currently in the custody of the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

In a press release dated Saturday, January 10, 2026, and signed by Ghana’s Ambassador to the United States, Victor Emmanuel Smith, the Embassy said it received information about Mr. Ofori-Atta’s detention and immediately moved to verify the situation.

After confirming the development, the Embassy formally contacted the detention facility where the former finance minister is being held, requesting access to him in order to offer consular assistance in line with diplomatic and international protocols.

However, the Embassy disclosed that officials at the facility informed them that Mr. Ofori-Atta declined to meet with consular officers at that time. According to the statement, he indicated that he would only engage with Embassy officials 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 about the arrest, describing it as a targeted operation by U.S. authorities.

Speaking on The Big Issue programme on Channel One TV on Saturday, January 10, 2026, Manasseh said eyewitnesses confirmed that Mr. Ofori-Atta was arrested at the Westlight building, a luxury residential complex located at 1111 24th Street in Northwest Washington, DC.

According to Manasseh, the former finance minister was picked up at about 11 a.m. on Tuesday, January 6, as he was leaving the building. He was reportedly living there with his wife and son at the time of the arrest.

The Westlight building is located in one of Washington, DC’s most affluent neighbourhoods, about a 20-minute walk from the White House, and is known to house high-profile individuals. Manasseh noted that former U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris previously lived in the same complex and sold her two-bedroom apartment for approximately $1.85 million after her election.

He added that it is unclear whether Mr. Ofori-Atta owns or rents the apartment, but sources say he had been residing there until the day he was arrested.

Manasseh further explained that the manner in which ICE carried out the arrest suggests it was not a routine immigration sweep. He noted that ICE typically conducts mass arrests in public places, making the focused and specific nature of this operation particularly noteworthy…CONTINUE MORE READING>>>