Ghana has shut down its embassy in Washington, D.C., to restructure its systems after a major fraud scandal involving the IT department.
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Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa announced the closure on Monday, May 26, 2025. He said a special audit uncovered long-running fraud at the mission. The embassy will remain closed for a few days as officials overhaul operations.
Ablakwa invited the Auditor-General to audit all financial records. The goal is to expose the full scale of the fraud.
The investigation revealed that Fred Kwarteng, a local employee, created an unauthorized link on the embassy’s website. He redirected applicants to his private company and charged illegal fees between $29.75 and $60.
In response, the ministry recalled all its staff from the embassy. It also suspended all local hires. The embassy’s IT department has been dissolved to stop further misconduct.
Ablakwa said President Mahama supports the swift actions taken. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to fighting corruption across its missions.
