Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has announced a sweeping series of reforms in a dramatic crackdown on corruption at Ghana’s embassy in Washington DC.
This action follows explosive findings from a special audit.
With the full backing of President John Dramani Mahama, Ablakwa revealed that an internal investigation uncovered a five-year fraudulent scheme orchestrated by an embassy staff member, prompting immediate dismissals, recalls, and a temporary closure of the mission.
“With the firm support of President Mahama, I have carried out drastic and decisive actions following the damning findings of a special audit team I put together to investigate alleged 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.
