Former Finance Minister Kenneth Nana Yaw Ofori-Atta has declined consular assistance from the Embassy of Ghana in Washington, DC, following his detention by 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 confirmed that Mr Ofori-Atta is currently in ICE custody and that efforts to engage him had been unsuccessful.

According to the statement, the Embassy received information about the former finance minister’s detention and immediately took steps to verify the circumstances surrounding the matter.

Upon confirmation, Ghanaian officials formally contacted the relevant detention facility to request access to Mr Ofori-Atta to offer consular support in line with diplomatic and international protocols.

However, officials at the facility reportedly informed the Embassy that Mr Ofori-Atta declined to meet consular officers, 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 added.

Meanwhile, details of Mr Ofori-Atta’s arrest have been made public by ace investigative journalist, Manasseh Azure Awuni.

According to him, Mr Ofori-Atta was arrested in a targeted operation by ICE officers on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, at about 11 a.m. He was picked up as he exited the Westlight building, a high-end residential complex located at 1111 24th Street in Northwest Washington, DC.

The former finance minister is reported to have been residing in the building with his wife and son at the time of the arrest. The Westlight complex is situated in one of Washington, DC’s most affluent neighbourhoods, approximately a 20-minute walk from the White House, and is known to house prominent personalities.