In a recent media briefing, Ghana’s Attorney General, Dr. Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, conveyed optimism regarding the potential return of former finance minister Ken Ofori-Atta to Ghana, despite ongoing legal challenges related to his immigration status in the United States. The comments were made on January 21, 2026, as Ofori-Atta faces significant legal scrutiny in the US.
Dr. Ayine stated that the American legal system is addressing Ofori-Atta’s case in accordance with its laws, suggesting that he found no fault in the proceedings thus far. He remarked, “The American authorities are managing the situation by following US law. I see no issues with how things are going.”
The Attorney General has been closely monitoring the situation and receiving updates from US officials, although he emphasized the confidentiality of these discussions and refrained from disclosing specific details.
Clarifying the nature of the proceedings, Dr. Ayine pointed out that the current legal matters center around immigration violations and are distinct from any extradition requests. According to him, for an extradition to be considered, a formal request must be submitted to the immigration court, which is yet to occur.
While he did not provide a specific timeline for Ofori-Atta’s potential return, Dr. Ayine expressed strong hope for a favorable outcome. “Although I do not have control over the US Justice Department, I remain very hopeful that the process will favor Ken’s return to Ghana,” he stated.
Ofori-Atta appeared in an immigration court in Annandale, Virginia, on January 20, 2026, after being taken into custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) earlier this month. US authorities allege that he no longer holds legal status in the country following the revocation of his visitor visa.
The court proceedings, presided over by Immigration Judge David Gardey, primarily focused on a bond determination and an initial review of Ofori-Atta’s case. His legal team requested that the hearings remain private due to the sensitive nature of the allegations, a request that was granted by the judge.
Ofori-Atta faces several charges in Ghana related to corruption, including issues connected to contracts with the Ghana Revenue Authority and Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited. The next hearing in his case has been scheduled for April 27, 2026.
