Ken Ofori-Atta Triumphs Over Green Card Hurdle: US Court Grants Permanent Residency

A United States immigration court has approved the I-485 adjustment of status application filed by former Ghanaian Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta. The ruling, delivered on June 16, 2026, by Immigration Judge David Gardey at the Annandale Immigration Court in Virginia, clears a major hurdle and allows him to proceed toward obtaining lawful permanent residency, commonly known as a Green Card.

Ofori-Atta’s legal team, led by solicitor Justice Kusi-Minkah Premo, confirmed the approval. The decision focuses solely on whether he meets the requirements under US immigration law for adjustment of status while already present in the country. It stems from his earlier application amid medical treatment in the US and subsequent immigration proceedings.

This victory comes despite ongoing criminal charges in Ghana, which his supporters describe as politically motivated. Ghanaian authorities have declared him a fugitive and pursued extradition. The US court’s approval does not address or resolve those allegations, as it pertains only to his eligibility for permanent residency in America.

Separate deportation proceedings against Ofori-Atta were adjourned to July 15, 2026. The Green Card approval provides stability for him and his family but does not prevent future immigration actions or extradition efforts if pursued through proper channels.

Ofori-Atta, a key figure in Ghana’s economic landscape during his tenure, now gains a pathway to build a new chapter in the United States. The development highlights the distinction between US immigration processes and international legal matters, offering him renewed opportunities while debates continue on both sides of the Atlantic.