Ofori-Atta Lawyers Question US Embassy Over Ken's ICE Detention

Frank Davies, a member of former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta’s legal team, has questioned the motives behind Ghana’s Embassy in Washington, DC, offering consular assistance to Mr Ofori-Atta following his detention by United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Speaking on Joy FM’s Midday News on Tuesday, Mr Davies described the embassy’s actions as contradictory, arguing that they undermine the principles of international diplomacy.

‘I ask myself, with the greatest of respect, what Ambassador Smith came to do last night on the radio. Is it not a failed mockery of international diplomacy?’ he said.

All along, they have been monitoring ICE and the FBI, leading to Ken’s arrest, and the same Ambassador Smith now wants to extend consular assistance and services to him.

Mr Davies further alleged that the embassy had collaborated with US authorities in the process that led to Mr Ofori-Atta’s arrest.

‘He comes boldly on the radio to say that they have been collaborating and feeding information to ICE and the FBI to arrest Ken and put him in custody. If this is what is going on, Ghanaians are the best judges,’ he added.

His comments come amid growing public debate over the role of Ghana’s diplomatic mission in the United States following Mr Ofori-Atta’s detention.

In an official press release dated January 10, 2026, and signed by Ghana’s Ambassador to the United States, Victor Emmanuel Smith, the embassy confirmed that the former Finance Minister had been taken into custody by ICE.

According to the statement, the embassy moved swiftly to verify the circumstances surrounding the detention after becoming aware of the development.

Upon receiving this information, the Embassy undertook the necessary steps to verify the circumstances surrounding the matter, the statement said.

Following confirmation, the embassy said it formally contacted the relevant detention facility to request access to Mr Ofori-Atta in order to provide consular assistance, in line with established diplomatic practice and international conventions, including the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, which guarantees detained foreign nationals the right to consular access.

However, embassy officials were informed by authorities at the detention facility that Mr Ofori-Atta declined to engage with consular officers at that time, stating that he would only do so in the presence of his legal representatives.

The embassy noted that Mr Ofori-Atta’s decision was respected and that consular support remains available should he choose to engage at a later time.

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