Ghana’s Embassy in Washington, D.C. is expected to reopen today, Thursday, May 29, 2025, following its shutdown by Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa.
The closure, which took effect on Monday, May 26, according to the minister followed the detection of some fraudulent activities at the visa section involving staff of the Embassy.
The Minister revealed that a local IT staff member is accused of diverting funds belonging to the Embassy into a personal account.
The minority has however slammed the minister over the decision describing the move as undiplomatic. Ranking Member for the Foreign Affairs Committee Samuel Abu Jinapor for instance criticised the move urging the minister to be more tactful in handling such matters given the implications on the image of Ghana.
“We were utterly shocked and surprised to learn of the decision through public announcements, rather than through prior engagement with the Foreign Affairs Committee,”
“Such a significant action should have been preceded by a briefing to the committee and addressed through tactful diplomatic channels.” Jinapor said to journalists in Parliament.
“This approach has far-reaching repercussions on the morale of our foreign service officers, on the reputation of our country, and on the welfare of Ghanaian citizens abroad,” Jinapor noted.
The Majority in Parliament has however jumped to the defence of the Foreign Affairs Minister. Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga at a leadership media engagement in parliament argued the closure was the most logical thing to do given the suspension of all the staff at the Embassy. According to him Ablakwa must be commended for his swift action and not condemned.
Chairman of Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, Dr. Alfred Oko Vanderpuije, has also thrown his support behind the Minister’s swift action. Speaking to journalists in Parliament, Dr. Vanderpuije commended the decision to shut down the Embassy temporarily, describing it as a necessary step to safeguard public funds and maintain accountability.
“When we see corruption, when we see an act that is against the resetting of this country, we will not condone it. So, we support the minister for all the actions that he has taken. When the embassy reopens, the public will be served without an iota of corruption,” he said.
The former Mayor of Accra announced his committee will soon visit the Ghana Embassy in Washington DC for first-hand information on the matter.
The Embassy according to the Foreign Affairs Ministry will be manned by new staff when it reopens later today as investigations continue.
