Ghana’s High Commissioner to the United States has revealed that US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) confirmed former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta was medically fit to be placed in a detention facility prior to his admission. Speaking on Joy News’ PM Express on Monday, Victor Smith explained that ICE arranged for medical personnel to examine Mr. Ofori-Atta shortly after his arrest. “Yes, ICE officials confirmed that he was fine.
They initially brought in medical staff to assess whether he was fit to be held in the detention centre, and they were satisfied he was okay,” he stated. Mr. Smith added that ICE informed him that although Mr. Ofori-Atta was on medication, he was not under a doctor’s care at the time but had access to his prescribed medication while in detention.
He explained that although Mr. Ofori-Atta was on medication, he was not under a doctor’s care at the time, and since he had access to his medication, he was deemed fit to be placed in the detention centre. He clarified that the medical evaluation was carried out by health professionals attached to the facility, not by ICE officers themselves. Mr. Smith noted that ICE indicated detainees with serious medical conditions are typically referred to external medical institutions rather than kept in detention.
“If he had any serious medical condition, they would likely have sent him to a medical facility outside the detention centre,” he added. The High Commissioner further revealed that while Ghana’s embassy attempted to secure consular access to Mr. Ofori-Atta, they were unable to meet him because he declined visitation without his lawyers present.
He said his involvement began after Mr Ofori-Atta had been picked up by ICE, prompting discussions with consular officers at the Ghanaian embassy. “I discussed it with the consular officers of my embassy, and we decided to make a request to make sure that he was being treated properly, as per international protocols,” he said.
According to Mr Smith, ICE initially agreed to allow the embassy to visit the former minister, but the plan collapsed shortly before the visit.
“Just before we set out the ICE agents came again and said the detainee had refused to meet with us without his lawyers,” he said.
He explained that after waiting for several hours, ICE returned with a final response.
“After about a few hours, they came back to us to say the detainee, being the ex minister, had refused now to see us under any circumstances,” he said.
Mr Smith said ICE officers personally came to his office to relay the developments.
“The ICE agents came here. The representative came to my office,” he said.
He described the refusal as disappointing, given that no one had visited Mr Ofori-Atta at the time.
“We’re a bit of a disappointment, because I know Ken personally. He may not be my friend, but I know him personally,” he said.
“Being a Ghanaian and being our responsibility, so to speak, in a host country, I felt that if we had had the opportunity to at least hear about, if he had some concerns for us, to probably try and assist,” he added. Mr Smith said the embassy respected Mr Ofori-Atta’s decision and did not pursue further attempts to visit him.
“So shutting the door in our face and not wanting to see us under any circumstances was a bit unfortunate,” he said.
Background
Former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta is presently being held by the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) over concerns regarding his immigration status. His legal team has confirmed that he is cooperating fully with authorities as steps are taken to resolve the issue. In a statement, his lawyers explained that Mr. Ofori-Atta has filed a petition for adjustment of status—a legal process under U.S. law that permits an individual to remain in the country beyond the expiration of an initial visa.
ICE is yet to announce a final decision on the matter.
Source: Abubakar Ibrahim
