OSP clarifies position on Ofori-Atta’s US residency ruling, says extradition process remains active
The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has clarified that it played no role in the United States immigration proceedings that reportedly resulted in former Finance Minister Kenneth Nana Yaw Ofori-Atta being granted permanent residency.
In a public notice issued on June 16, 2026, the OSP said it had taken note of media reports and a publication attributed to a Ghanaian law firm claiming that a US immigration court granted Mr. Ofori-Atta permanent residency after finding that criminal charges filed against him by the OSP were not credible.
The anti-corruption agency stressed that it was not involved in any immigration hearings concerning Mr. Ofori-Atta in the United States.
According to the OSP, its involvement in the matter relates solely to extradition proceedings being pursued through Ghana’s Attorney-General, who serves as the central authority in such cases.
“The OSP states that it is not involved in immigration hearings in the United States involving Mr. Ofori-Atta,” the statement said.
The office further explained that the extradition request currently being pursued against the former minister was not before the US immigration court that considered his residency application.
It maintained that the question of whether the criminal charges against Mr. Ofori-Atta are credible falls within the jurisdiction of Ghanaian courts, which are responsible for determining his guilt or innocence.
“The credibility or otherwise of the criminal charges against Mr. Ofori-Atta would be determined by the courts in Ghana, who have jurisdiction to determine his guilt or innocence,” the OSP stated.
The Special Prosecutor's office also emphasized that Mr. Ofori-Atta remains a Ghanaian citizen and could still be extradited to Ghana if a United States extradition court rules in favour of such a request.
The clarification follows reports that a US immigration court approved Mr. Ofori-Atta’s Green Card petition and reportedly questioned the credibility of criminal charges brought against him in Ghana.