Ghana closes Washington Embassy amid corruption investigation

Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Minister of Foreign Affairs, has declared extensive and crucial measures backing a special investigation disclosing vast corrupt practices at Ghana’s official residence of an ambassador in Washington D.C.

In a Facebook post, on Monday, May 26, 2025, Mr Ablakwa on Monday, May 26, 2025 posted on Facebook stating with supporting President Mahama, he have brought to light a succession of radical actions, which included the instant sacking of a locally employed IT staff member and the summoning back of all politic and polite staff. The disclosure focuses on Fred Kwarteng, a local staff member employed in 2017 to the embassy’s IT division. Researches, analysis and Mr. Kwarteng’s own words verify he setted up an unauthorized link on the embassy’s official website.

This link secretly transferred visa and passport aspirants to his private business, Ghana Travel Consultants (GTC), where he charged unauthorized surcharge a fee varying from US29.75 to US60 for each applicant. These unlawful earnings were then moved straight into his personal account. The dishonest programme is presumed to have worked for not less than five years.

Mr. Ablakwa said “his act has been revealed to the Attorney-General for potential legal action and recollection of funds gained through dishonest programmes”. In an attempt to attend to the systemic failures that paved way for such corruption to increase Minister Ablakwa stated the following instant actions:

* Instant Sacking of Mr. Fred Kwarteng: For his main role in the fraudulent programme.

* Forensic Inspection Established: The Auditor-General has been called up to direct a thorough forensic inspection of all transfers to verify the entire and sum cost of this complex dishonest programme.

* Termination of the Embassy’s IT Division: The whole IT division at the embassy has been immediately dissolved.

* Summon back of All Ministry of Foreign Affairs Staff: All politic and polite personnel affix to the Washington D.C. embassy have been resummoned to Ghana with instant effect.

* Suspension of All Locally Employed Staff: All other locally employed member at the Washington D.C. embassy have been halted until further notice of researches and analysis.

* Abeyance of Embassy: Ghana’s embassy in Washington D.C. will not function for a few days to help progress in rebuilding and a fully completed systems service and maintenance.

The Foreign Affairs Minister showed remorse for any problem or destruction these “extend measures” might bring to visa and passport applicants, highlighting the government’s firm dedication to eliminating corruption.

He stated that, President Mahama’s government will still go on to show no ignorance for corruption, uncovered disagreement of interest, and boisterous abuse of office.