The Ghana Embassy in Washington D.C. is set to reopen on Thursday, May 29, 2025, following a temporary closure due to a major corruption scandal.
The embassy was shut down after allegations of widespread corruption and abuse of office surfaced, involving a locally recruited IT staff member, Fred Kwarteng.
According to investigations, Kwarteng created an unauthorized link on the Embassy’s website, redirecting visa and passport applicants to his private company, Ghana Travel Consultants (GTC).
The company charged unapproved fees ranging from $29.75 to $60, with payments funneled directly into Kwarteng’s account. This illicit scheme may have gone undetected for at least five years, contravening Ghana’s Fees and Charges Act.
In response to the scandal, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has taken swift action. A new team of diplomats, led by a senior official, has been deployed to take over operations at the Mission. An IT team has also been assigned to reconfigure the Embassy’s website and payment platforms, removing all unofficial and unauthorized links.
The Ministry has assured the public that measures are in place to address the backlog of services and has apologized for any inconvenience caused by the closure.
The circumstances leading to the closure have been reported to the Auditor-General and the Attorney-General for further investigation and possible prosecution.
The Ministry has reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing service delivery, upholding transparency and accountability, and safeguarding Ghana’s reputation on the international stage.
With the reopening of the embassy, Ghanaian citizens and applicants can expect a renewed focus on integrity and efficiency in the delivery of diplomatic services.
