In a bold and unprecedented move aimed at restoring public trust in Ghana’s diplomatic service, Minister for Foreign Affairs Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has announced the temporary closure of Ghana’s embassy in Washington, D.C., following revelations of systemic corruption.
The closure, announced on Monday, May 26, 2025, marks a significant step in the Mahama administration’s broader effort to clean up public institutions and enforce accountability. Ablakwa described the decision as “regrettable but absolutely necessary” to pave the way for a complete restructuring of the mission.
“This is part of the decisive actions I’ve taken, with the full backing of President Mahama, after a special audit team I commissioned uncovered damning evidence of a sophisticated fraud scheme at the embassy,” Ablakwa stated.
Central to the scandal is Fred Kwarteng, a locally hired IT technician who confessed to running a covert operation that redirected visa and passport applicants to his private enterprise, Ghana Travel Consultants (GTC). Through an unauthorized link on the embassy’s website, Kwarteng collected unapproved service fees between $29.75 and $60, funneling the proceeds into his personal account.
The fraudulent scheme is believed to have operated undetected for over five years, raising serious concerns about oversight and internal controls at one of Ghana’s most important foreign missions.
In response, the government has launched sweeping measures: all Foreign Affairs Ministry staff stationed in Washington, D.C. have been recalled to Accra; the embassy’s IT department has been dissolved; and all locally recruited staff suspended pending a full-scale investigation.
The case has been handed over to the Attorney-General for potential prosecution and the recovery of public funds. Additionally, the Auditor-General has been mandated to conduct a forensic audit to assess the total financial loss to the state.
While acknowledging the inconvenience the embassy’s temporary shutdown may cause to both Ghanaian citizens and international visitors, Ablakwa stressed the importance of bold reforms.
“The integrity of Ghana’s diplomatic missions cannot be compromised,” he declared. “Under President Mahama’s leadership, we are committed to zero tolerance for corruption and abuse of office, no matter where it occurs.”
This development reinforces the administration’s message that no public official or institution is above scrutiny as Ghana pushes forward with a renewed anti-corruption agenda.
