Ghana Temporarily Closes Embassy in Washington DC Amidst Corruption Investigation
Ghana's Washington Embassy Temporarily Closed Amid Fraud Allegations
Ghana's embassy in Washington, D.C. has been temporarily closed following the discovery of a fraudulent scheme involving the embezzlement of visa and passport fees by a locally hired IT staffer, Fred Kwarteng, since 2017.
The fraudulent scheme, uncovered during a special audit, involved systemic abuse and unauthorized fees charged to visa and passport applicants over a five-year period. Unapproved fees, ranging from $29.75 to $60 per applicant, were deposited into Kwarteng's personal account, bypassing government oversight.
The violation of the Fees and Charges Act prompted an aggressive government response. President Mahama's government has vowed to continue demonstrating zero tolerance for corruption, naked conflict of interest, and blatant abuse of office.
As a result of the fraud, the Ghanaian Minister for Foreign Affairs has recalled all Foreign Affairs Ministry staff posted at the Washington embassy and dissolved the embassy's IT department. Fred Kwarteng has been fired, and the case has been referred to the Attorney-General for possible prosecution and fund recovery.
The embassy's IT system was found to have an unauthorized link redirecting applicants to Ghana Travel Consultants (GTC), a private company owned by Fred Kwarteng. In response to this discovery, the Foreign Affairs Ministry has invited the Auditor-General to conduct a forensic audit of embassy transactions.
The embassy continues to emphasize consular services and diplomatic functions on its official site, indicating ongoing efforts to support Ghanaians and maintain diplomatic relations, possibly through alternative means or planned restructuring. No detailed official public statement on reopening or long-term plans has been found.
The Foreign Affairs Ministry has announced that the embassy will re-open on Thursday, 29th May, 2025, but no specific date beyond this has been provided. Further legal action and structural reforms are expected as authorities dig deeper into the scope of the scandal.
This closure serves as a reminder of the government's commitment to upholding integrity and transparency in all its dealings, and a warning to those who may seek to exploit their positions for personal gain. The Foreign Affairs Ministry has emphasized that the embassy's reopening will be contingent upon a thorough overhaul of its systems and processes to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.
The fraud in question, discovered within the IT department of Ghana's Washington embassy, falls under the purview of both politics and general news, as it involves corruption and the misuse of public funds. The embassy's closure and subsequent reopening after thorough reforms reflect the government's serious approach to eliminating such abuses in its political and administrative processes.
