The Ghana Embassy in Washington, D.C. has reopened its doors after a brief closure due to an alleged corruption scandal involving the Embassy’s visa section.
The closure, which took effect on Monday, May 26, was ordered by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa.
A local IT staff member is accused of diverting funds belonging to the Embassy into a personal account, prompting the Minister’s swift action.
Chairman of Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, Dr. Alfred Oko Vanderpuije, has thrown his support behind the Minister, describing the decision to shut down the Embassy as a necessary step to safeguard public funds and maintain accountability.
However, the Minority in Parliament has urged the Minister to adopt a more tactful and consultative approach in executing his duties.
Led by Ranking Member on Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, Samuel A. Jinapor, the Minority criticized the use of social media for major foreign policy announcements, warning that such an approach could undermine the morale of foreign service officers and damage Ghana’s reputation.
The Embassy’s reopening marks a new chapter in its operations, with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs assuring the public that measures are in place to clear the backlog of applications and restore efficient service delivery.
The circumstances leading to the closure are being investigated by the Auditor-General and Attorney-General.