By Oluwakemi Kindness
The United States on Tuesday granted permanent residency to Ghana’s former Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, bringing an end to months of immigration and legal uncertainty surrounding his stay in the country, according to his lawyer.
Ofori-Atta, 66, has been in the US since January last year for medical treatment, including surgery for prostate cancer.
His legal situation took a dramatic turn in January when he was detained by US immigration authorities over issues relating to the status of his stay, while he was applying to extend his residency.
His lawyer said he was not arrested for any criminal conduct in the United States but over immigration-related procedures.
In February 2025, Ghanaian authorities declared him a fugitive, and he was later formally charged with corruption in November.
He had previously served as Ghana’s finance minister from 2017 to 2024 under former president Nana Akufo-Addo, overseeing major tax reforms and negotiations with the International Monetary Fund.
His attorney, Justice Kusi-Minkah Premo, confirmed that his I-485 green card application was approved by a US Immigration Court.
According to him, the court noted that the criminal allegations in Ghana were not credible in determining the immigration outcome, stressing that the decision was based strictly on eligibility for adjustment of status.
Ofori-Atta’s case comes amid heightened anti-corruption efforts in Ghana under President John Mahama, although critics argue that some prosecutions have been politically motivated.
The development effectively allows Ofori-Atta to remain permanently in the United States as legal and political tensions continue back home.
