The Ghanaian government has temporarily closed its embassy in Washington, D.C., following the discovery of a long-running visa fraud scheme allegedly orchestrated by a local staff member.
Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa announced on Monday that Fred Kwarteng, an IT officer hired in 2017, was dismissed after an internal investigation revealed he had illegally rerouted visa and passport applicants to a private website linked to his own company.
According to Ablakwa, Kwarteng and his associates charged applicants between \$29.75 and \$60 in unauthorized fees, which were deposited into his personal account. The fraudulent scheme is believed to have operated undetected for at least five years.
The foreign minister stated that he had previously commissioned a special audit team to probe allegations of corruption at the embassy. The matter has now been referred to the attorney-general for possible prosecution and recovery of the misappropriated funds.
In response to the findings, Ablakwa confirmed that all Foreign Ministry staff based at the Washington mission had been recalled, the IT department disbanded, and all locally hired employees suspended.
The embassy is expected to remain closed for several days while the ministry undertakes a comprehensive restructuring and systems overhaul.
The closure coincides with President John Dramani Mahama’s broader anti-corruption campaign, which includes the recent launch of a new code of conduct. The policy imposes strict penalties for government appointees involved in corrupt activities, including automatic dismissal.