A lecturer at KAAF University, Dr. Eric Bempong, has alleged that former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta had no intention of returning to Ghana after travelling to the United States, claiming the move was a calculated decision rather than a temporary visit.
Dr. Bempong made the assertion during a panel discussion on Oyerepa Breakfast Time, hosted by Kwesi Parker Wilson, following reports that Mr. Ofori-Atta has been detained by the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) over issues relating to his immigration status.
The detention was confirmed by the former minister’s legal team, who said he is cooperating with U.S. authorities while steps are taken to regularise his stay.
According to Dr. Bempong, Mr. Ofori-Atta was fully aware that his journey to the United States would mark the end of his return to Ghana.
He suggested that the former finance minister’s reported application for permanent residency supports claims that he intended to remain abroad permanently.
“Ken Ofori-Atta knew very well that once he left Ghana, he was not coming back,” Dr. Bempong stated. “What we are seeing now, including the move to regularise his stay, confirms that this was a planned decision.”
Background
Ken Ofori-Atta served as Ghana’s Minister of Finance from 2017 to 2023, a period marked by significant economic challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, rising public debt, and negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). His tenure attracted both praise and criticism, particularly over debt restructuring measures and broader economic management.
Since leaving office, Mr. Ofori-Atta has remained in the United States, citing serious health concerns. He has been receiving treatment for prostate cancer and previously underwent a radical prostatectomy at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. He is also reported to be managing post-COVID Multi-System Inflammatory Response Syndrome, diagnosed in 2021, which requires ongoing medical supervision.
His extended stay abroad has coincided with legal proceedings in Ghana, including corruption-related charges filed by the Office of the Special Prosecutor in November 2025.
Source: KAB
