Over the weekend, the Embassy of Ghana in Washington, DC confirmed that former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta declined to meet with consular officials without his lawyers present.
In a press release dated December 10, 2026, and signed by Ghana’s Ambassador to the United States, Victor Emmanuel Smith, the embassy said it formally contacted the detention facility upon receiving information about Ofori-Atta’s detention, requesting consular access in line with international diplomatic protocols. The statement added that despite his decision, the embassy remains in contact with the appropriate US authorities and will continue to monitor the matter to ensure that Mr. Ofori-Atta’s rights are fully respected.
Reacting to the development, Professor Kwadwo Appiagyei-Atua of the University of Ghana School of Law said the former finance minister’s decision could be rooted in mistrust.
“It boils down to mistrust between the former finance minister and the government,” Prof. Appiagyei-Atua said.
He explained that recent public statements by the Attorney General and his deputy suggesting government involvement in the revocation of Ofori-Atta’s visa have created uncertainty.
“Public statements by the Attorney General and his deputy about the visa revocation have raised unanswered questions that could discourage him from accepting consular assistance,” he noted.
Prof. Appiagyei-Atua further pointed to what he described as contradictions in the government’s posture, particularly ongoing efforts to return the former minister to Ghana.
“When the government insists on bringing someone back to Ghana while claiming to offer help, it creates contradictions that naturally deepen mistrust,” he added.
Meanwhile, economist and NPP member Dr. Raymond Ayilu accused the governing NDC of high-handedness in handling the matter. Speaking on GHOne TV, he described the repeated questioning of former government officials as a witch hunt
However, Presidential Aide Dr. Sammy Ayeh dismissed the allegations, arguing that the former finance minister’s actions point to an attempt to evade accountability.
