Former Ghanaian finance minister Ken Ofori-Atta has secured permanent US residency after an American immigration court approved his application, despite corruption charges and fugitive status in Ghana. Ofori-Atta, who served under former president Nana Akufo-Addo, has been in the US for medical treatment since last year. He was briefly detained in January over immigration-related issues before his Green Card application was approved. His lawyer said the court found Ghana’s criminal allegations not credible, although the ruling focused on immigration requirements rather than the corruption case itself. With this move, Ofori-Atta gains legal protection and greater freedom to remain in the US, while Ghanaian authorities face a more complicated effort to secure his return. The ruling could fuel opposition criticism that President John Mahama’s crackdown is politically motivated, with implications for the NPP’s 2028 presidential prospects. It also tests Mahama’s anti-corruption agenda and the credibility of cross-border accountability efforts.
The Africa Report
