Minister for Foreign Affairs Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has launched a decisive and wide-ranging reform initiative to eradicate corruption at Ghana’s embassy in Washington, D.C. This bold action comes in response to startling findings from a special audit.
With the unwavering support of President John Dramani Mahama, Ablakwa announced that an internal investigation uncovered a five-year fraudulent scheme perpetrated by an embassy staff member. In light of this revelation, immediate and firm actions have been taken, including dismissals, recalls, and the temporary closure of the mission.
“With the full backing of President Mahama, I am executing strong and resolute actions following the alarming findings of the special audit team I commissioned to investigate these corrupt practices,” Ablakwa stated.
At the centre of the scandal is Mr Fred Kwarteng, a local IT staffer hired in August 2017. According to the audit—and by his admission—Kwarteng created an unauthorized link on the embassy’s website, secretly diverting visa and passport applicants to his private company, Ghana Travel Consultants (GTC). There, he allegedly charged unapproved fees ranging from US$29.75 to US$60 per applicant, pocketing the proceeds.
“He kept the entire proceeds in his private account on the blind side of the Ministry. Investigations show this scheme operated for at least five years,” Ablakwa revealed. The matter has since been referred to the Attorney-General for potential prosecution and the recovery of stolen funds.
As part of a sweeping cleanup:
Mr Kwarteng has been dismissed.
All Foreign Affairs Ministry staff posted to the Washington embassy have been recalled.
The embassy’s entire IT department has been dissolved.
All locally recruited staff have been suspended.
The Auditor-General has been called in to conduct a forensic audit.
The embassy will be temporarily closed for restructuring and systems overhaul.
“These are radical measures, and we regret any inconvenience caused to visa and passport applicants,” Ablakwa said, adding that the government remains resolute in its anti-corruption stance.
“President Mahama’s government will continue to demonstrate zero tolerance for corruption, naked conflict of interest, and blatant abuse of office,” he stressed.
