The Ghana Embassy in Washington D.C., United States, will be reopened on Thursday, May 29, 2025, after a temporary closure prompted by a major corruption scandal.
Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, on Monday, May 26 announced the closure and outlined strict corrective measures via his official Facebook page.
The decision followed a special audit that uncovered fraudulent activities within the embassy’s IT department.
Investigations found that a local staff member, Mr. Fred Kwarteng, had created an unauthorized link on the embassy’s official website.
This link redirected applicants to his private company, where they were charged illegal fees ranging between $29.75 and $60.
These fees were not sanctioned under Ghana’s Fees and Charges Act.
In response, all Ministry of Foreign Affairs personnel assigned to the embassy were recalled, and all locally recruited staff have been suspended.
Confirming the reopening, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement on Tuesday, May 27, indicating that a team of experienced diplomats, led by a senior official from the Ministry, has been deployed to oversee operations at the mission. Their mandate includes implementing a complete systems overhaul and restoring integrity to the embassy’s functions.
An IT team has also been deployed to reconfigure the embassy’s website and payment systems, eliminating all unauthorized and unofficial links.
The Ministry assured the public that all necessary measures have been put in place to address backlogs and restore normal operations. It also expressed regret for any inconvenience caused during the temporary closure.
The Ministry added that the matter has been referred to the Auditor-General and Attorney-General for further action and possible sanctions.
For further inquiries, the Ministry provided the following contact details:
- Email: washington@mfa.gov.gh / ipab@mfa.gov.gh
- Phone: +1 202 686 4520 (U.S.) / +233 240 793 072 (Ghana)
The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, accountability, and the protection of Ghana’s image on the international stage.
Read below the statement
