The protests could help Ofori-Atta stay in the US
The former Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, has become a controversial figure in discussions in Ghana.
This follows an extradition process initiated against him by the Ghanaian government over alleged corruption investigations in the SML case, as well as his arrest by the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) regarding his immigration status.
The story of the three Ghanaian political figures in US law enforcement hands
On the back of this, Arise Ghana, a pressure group, has begun what it terms an indefinite picketing at the US Embassy in Accra to compel authorities to facilitate the return of Ofori-Atta to Ghana to face accountability.
However, a US based Immigration Attorney, Angela Moore, has warned that the recent protests could unintentionally strengthen his legal position in the United States rather than secure his return.
According to Moore, demonstrations such as the one held near the US Embassy in Cantonments by Arise Ghana may be cited by Ofori-Atta in support of immigration relief applications.
This, she said, could include a possible asylum claim. She added that the former minister would need to argue that returning to Ghana would expose him to danger or politically motivated mistreatment.
“I drove past the United States Embassy in Cantonment, and I saw some protests going on. I saw T-shirts saying ‘bring Ken back’. I think that the right to protest is one that we must protect and people definitely have the right to protest and I was quite happy to see that but what does it mean for this case?... some of these protests may actually help Ofori-Atta in making certain requests of the United States government.
“For instance, he could apply for asylum. If he can show that some of the things that are going to happen to him when he returns here would endanger his life, or that, he would be mistreated or given treatments that are different from what accused persons can receive because of his political affiliation,” Moore explained.
She also stressed that the location and nature of the protests are being misunderstood by many Ghanaians.
“One thing to note is that the embassies are missions. They are not courts, so they cannot help in bringing Ken Ofori-Atta back to Ghana,” she said.
The Immigration Attorney added that public actions portraying hostility or political targeting could be legally significant in US immigration proceedings, where claims of persecution are closely examined.
She cautioned against such acts that could jeopardize the matter and Ghana’s chances of securing Ofori-Atta’s return.
“So, we have to be very careful with how we handle these matters. I know that most Ghanaians want him to come for various reasons. When we do such protests without understanding the legal implications, it might go contrary to what we actually seek to effect,” she cautioned.
The immigration lawyer concluded by advising restraint and professionalism in handling the matter, particularly given its international legal dimensions.
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“I think in all things, it's best to leave it to the lawyers,” she concluded.
Ofori-Atta, who served as finance minister under the previous NPP administration, has been at the centre of public controversy, with sections of the public demanding his return to Ghana to answer various allegations.
Matter: Courts respond to law, not protests -Angela Moore, Esq., a Ghana-born attorney licensed in Ghana, New York, and Tennessee, with over 20 years at the Ghana Bar and more than a decade of U.S. legal practice. She is the Founder of JJ Moore & Associates, PLLC, with offices in… pic.twitter.com/ib0OllGCx8
— Ameyaw Debrah (@AmeyawDebrah) January 22, 2026
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