Ghana Temporarily Closes Washington Embassy Amid Major Fraud Investigation

The Ghanaian Embassy in Washington, D.C., will temporarily shut down starting Monday, May 26, 2025, to facilitate a comprehensive restructuring and systems overhaul in response to a significant corruption scandal.

Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa announced the closure, citing findings from a special audit that exposed fraudulent operations within the embassy’s IT department. He stated that the Auditor-General has been commissioned to carry out a forensic audit of all financial transactions to fully uncover the extent of the scheme.

“The embassy shall be closed for a few days as we finalise the ongoing restructuring and systems overhaul,” Ablakwa said.

According to the investigation, a local staff member, Fred Kwarteng, illicitly created a parallel application system through an unauthorized link on the embassy’s website. Applicants were redirected to his private company and charged illegal processing fees ranging from $29.75 to $60 — charges not sanctioned under Ghana’s Fees and Charges Act.

In response, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has taken swift and sweeping action. All ministry personnel stationed at the embassy have been recalled, and all locally hired staff suspended. Additionally, the embassy’s entire IT department has been disbanded to prevent further abuse and to restore trust and transparency in its operations.

The government has pledged full accountability as investigations continue into the multi-year fraudulent scheme.