Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has launched a sweeping crackdown following explosive revelations of embassy corruption at the Ghanaian mission in Washington, D.C.

Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, with the full backing of President John Mahama, announced a series of immediate and far-reaching actions after a special audit team uncovered a long-running visa and passport fraud scheme.

At the center of the scandal is Mr. Fred Kwarteng, a local staff member who joined the embassy on August 11, 2017, to work in its IT department.

“According to findings and his [Mr. Fred Kwarteng] own admission, he created an unauthorized link on the embassy’s website, which diverted visa and passport applicants to his company, Ghana Travel Consultants (GTC), where he charged extra for multiple services on the blind side of the ministry and kept the entire proceeds in his private account.”
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa

The minister stated that the charges ranged from “US$29.75 to US$60 per applicant” and that the funds collected were deposited directly into Kwarteng’s private accounts.

Ablakwa on embassy corruption in DC — Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Minister for Foreign Affairs

He added that the scheme was “not approved by the ministry and parliament as required under the Fees and Charges Act.”

“The Investigations reveal that he and his collaborators operated this illegal scheme for at least 5 years,” Ablakwa disclosed. The total amount involved in the fraudulent operation is yet to be fully determined.

The minister confirmed that the embassy’s IT department has been completely dissolved, all locally recruited staff suspended, and every Ministry of Foreign Affairs employee posted to the Washington embassy has been recalled to Accra.

AG To Act Amid Embassy Corruption

As part of the disciplinary measures, Mr. Fred Kwarteng has been dismissed from the embassy with immediate effect.

Hon. Ablakwa revealed that his case has been reported to the Attorney-General for further action, including possible criminal prosecution and the retrieval of misappropriated funds.

The scandal, described as one of the most audacious examples of embassy corruption in recent times, has prompted a deeper institutional audit.

The Auditor-General has been invited to carry out a comprehensive forensic audit of all embassy transactions to determine the full financial impact of the illegal activities. The findings of that audit are expected to provide the basis for long-term reforms across Ghana’s missions abroad.

As part of the cleanup operation, the Washington embassy has been temporarily shut down.

“Ghana’s embassy in Washington, DC, shall be closed for a few days from today [Monday, 26th May, 2025] as we finalize the ongoing restructuring and systems overhaul. Any inconvenience these radical measures may cause visa and passport applicants is regretted.”
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa

In taking these steps, Hon. Ablakwa reiterated the Mahama administration’s firm stance against corruption. He stated that the government will not tolerate misconduct in any form, especially where public trust and international reputation are at stake.

The scandal has renewed public concerns about how diplomatic missions are supervised and the level of accountability imposed on local and posted staff.

Meanwhile, this crackdown could mark a turning point in how Ghana enforces discipline within its diplomatic corps, sending a clear signal to both local hires and senior foreign service officers.

There is growing consensus that the scandal underscores the urgent need for stricter recruitment policies, improved internal controls, and digital security upgrades to prevent future breaches.

Minister Ablakwa, in justifying the drastic measures, pointed to the gravity of the findings and the trust placed in public institutions.

“President Mahama’s government will continue to demonstrate zero tolerance for corruption, naked conflict of interest, and blatant abuse of office.”
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa

As investigations proceed and systems are rebuilt, Ghanaians at home and abroad will be watching closely to see whether these reforms bring lasting integrity to one of the country’s most important diplomatic outposts.