By Love Wilhelmina Abanonave
Private legal practitioner Austin Kwabena Brako-Powers has said former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta acted within his constitutional rights by refusing to meet Ghanaian embassy officials in the United States without his lawyers present.
Lawyer Brako-Powers made the comment on GBC’s Current Agenda show on Saturday, January 17, 2026, arguing that Ofori-Atta’s caution is justified, given media reports portraying him as guilty despite not being arraigned before any court of competent jurisdiction.
He noted that Ofori-Atta was declared a fugitive by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) on February 12, 2025, for failing to appear before investigators regarding corruption allegations. Brako-Powers said this history has understandably contributed to the former minister’s lack of trust in some Ghanaian authorities.
Ofori-Atta was detained by the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on January 6, 2026, over visa status issues. The Ghanaian embassy had requested consular access, but the former minister declined, insisting on legal representation. The embassy, led by Ambassador Victor Emmanuel Smith, respected his decision.
Ofori-Atta’s lawyers have filed a court process to challenge the detention, claiming it is politically motivated. The Ghanaian government maintains that it is pursuing accountability, not a witch-hunt.
