Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has applauded the sweeping reforms at Ghana’s Embassy in Washington DC, as the mission resumed operations with a strong performance—issuing over 800 visas on its first day.
Speaking to the press, Mr. Ablakwa credited the smooth restart to a “fresh team of seasoned diplomats” and a successful overhaul of internal systems, including what he described as an “institutional fumigation.” The changes, he said, were already yielding results in the form of greater professionalism, integrity, and service efficiency.
“This level of output is exactly what we envisioned. It proves that Ghanaian diplomats thrive when given the right ecosystem and leadership,” Ablakwa said.
He dismissed circulating rumours about mass staff replacement, clarifying that there had been no new recruitments to replace embassy personnel. “We have a robust cadre of distinguished diplomats who are leading this consequential reset. This reform process cannot be trivialised as mere ‘jobs for the boys,’” he emphasized.
As part of broader efforts to restore transparency and accountability in Ghana’s diplomatic missions, the Foreign Minister also revealed that a questionable and unauthorized agreement—allegedly signed in 2023 between Fred Kwarteng and a senior official at the Washington mission—had been voided. “That opaque and illegal arrangement is now considered null and void,” he stated.
Mr. Ablakwa hinted at additional revelations to come, including details on frozen accounts and other remedial steps, which he said would be outlined during his upcoming address to Parliament.
The reopening of the Washington embassy, which had faced operational and administrative setbacks, now represents a critical milestone in the government’s push to rebuild public trust in Ghana’s foreign missions and enhance their global reputation.
