Ghana’s embassy in Washington DC has been temporarily shut down as the government moves to implement urgent reforms following revelations of long-running financial misconduct.
Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa announced in a Facebook post on Monday, May 26, that the closure will allow for the finalisation of a “restructuring and systems overhaul” after a special audit uncovered illegal charges imposed on visa and passport applicants through an unauthorised third-party platform.
The key figure implicated in the scheme is Mr. Fred Kwarteng, a local IT staffer hired in 2017, who allegedly redirected consular traffic to his private company and charged applicants unauthorised fees for embassy services.
The funds — accumulated over five years — were not reported to the Ministry and breached Ghana’s Fees and Charges Act.
As part of drastic measures to restore integrity at the embassy, all Foreign Affairs Ministry staff stationed in Washington have been recalled to Accra, the IT department has been disbanded, and locally recruited personnel have been suspended.
The Attorney-General is now expected to initiate legal proceedings, while the Auditor-General undertakes a forensic examination to determine the full financial extent of the fraud.
Minister Ablakwa expressed regret over any inconvenience the temporary closure may cause to visa and passport applicants but emphasized that the Mahama-led government is unwavering in its stance against corruption and misconduct in public office.
