US grants permanent residency to fugitive Ghana ex-finance minister

The United States has granted permanent residency to Ghana's former finance minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, his lawyer announced Tuesday. This decision concludes a period during which Ofori-Atta, 66, was declared a fugitive in Ghana and subsequently arrested by U.S. immigration authorities.

Ofori-Atta had been in the U.S. since January 2025 for medical treatment, including surgery for prostate cancer. However, his stay became complicated when he was arrested by U.S. immigration authorities in January for "the status of his current stay," according to his lawyers. Ghanaian authorities had declared him a fugitive in February 2025 and formally charged him with corruption in November.

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Ken Ofori-Atta’s Green card I-485 petition has been granted by US Immigration Court.

His attorney, Justice Kusi-Minkah Premo, stated that "Ken Ofori-Atta’s Green card I-485 petition has been granted by US Immigration Court." Premo added that "The Court finds the criminal charges in Ghana not credible," while clarifying that the decision was primarily based on whether Ofori-Atta met the legal requirements for adjustment of status.

Ofori-Atta served as finance minister from 2017 to 2024 under former President Nana Akufo-Addo. During his tenure, he oversaw contentious tax reforms and negotiations with the International Monetary Fund. The current administration under President John Mahama has pursued a crackdown on corruption, though critics argue it has unfairly targeted political opponents.

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The Court finds the criminal charges in Ghana not credible.