Ghana’s embassy in Washington, D.C. will reopen on Thursday, May 29, after a temporary closure triggered by a corruption scandal involving an IT fraud scheme.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs ordered the shutdown on May 26 to conduct a complete systems overhaul and root out misconduct. Investigations uncovered that Fred Kwarteng, a locally hired IT officer, created an unauthorized link on the embassy’s website. This link diverted visa and passport applicants to his private business, Ghana Travel Consultants (GTC), where he collected illegal fees between $29.75 and $60.
The scheme reportedly ran undetected for over five years, allowing Kwarteng to redirect funds into his account.
In response, the Ministry:
- Recalled all Foreign Affairs staff from the embassy,
- Suspended all locally recruited personnel,
- Dissolved the embassy’s IT department.
“A seasoned team, led by a senior diplomat, has taken over to restore integrity, implement reforms, and manage operations,” the Ministry stated.
An IT team has also reconfigured the embassy’s website and payment platforms, eliminating unauthorized access points.
The Attorney-General is now reviewing the case for possible prosecution, while the Auditor-General conducts a forensic audit to determine the full financial impact.
Although the shutdown disrupted consular services, the Ministry says the actions were necessary to rebuild trust and accountability.
“We understand the inconvenience but are committed to restoring transparency in all our missions,” it added.
The embassy’s reopening signals the beginning of a new chapter for Ghana’s diplomatic presence in the United States.
Read full statement below:
Press-Release-Reopening-of-the-Embassy-of-Ghana-in-Washington-DC
