Ghana has temporarily closed its embassy in Washington after uncovering a corruption scandal involving a local IT employee, Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa announced Monday.
Fred Kwarteng, hired in 2017, was swiftly dismissed following an investigation revealing he had created an unauthorized link on the embassy’s website.
This link redirected visa and passport applicants to his private company, enabling him to collect illegal fees without authorization.
Ablakwa said Kwarteng and accomplices ran the scheme for at least five years, charging applicants between $29.75 and $60.
The collected money was funneled into Kwarteng’s private account, bypassing official channels and defrauding applicants.
Months ago, the Foreign Ministry formed a special audit team to investigate alleged corruption at the embassy.
The case has now been referred to Ghana’s attorney-general for potential prosecution and recovery of stolen funds.
In response, all embassy staff were immediately recalled, the IT department dissolved, and local employees suspended.
The Foreign Minister confirmed the embassy will remain closed for several days as a comprehensive restructuring is underway.
This closure aims to overhaul systems and restore trust in Ghana’s diplomatic mission in the United States.
The scandal has cast a shadow over the embassy’s operations, highlighting vulnerabilities in managing overseas missions.
Ghana’s government emphasizes transparency and accountability as it moves to address the breach and prevent future abuses.