Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has taken swift action to address a visa and passport fraud scheme at Ghana’s embassy in Washington, D.C.
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On Monday, May 26, 2025, he announced the immediate dismissal of Fred Kwarteng, a local IT staff member. Kwarteng allegedly created a fake link on the embassy’s website to redirect applicants to his private firm, Ghana Travel Consultants (GTC). There, he charged unauthorized fees between $29.75 and $60. This scheme ran for at least five years.
Minister Ablakwa confirmed that the case has been handed over to the Attorney-General for possible prosecution. He vowed to recover all funds obtained through the scam.
“This act betrays public trust. The law will take its full course,” he stated.
To prevent further abuse, the government has recalled all Foreign Ministry staff from the embassy. It also suspended all locally hired staff and dissolved the embassy’s IT department.
Ablakwa acknowledged the inconvenience to applicants but stressed that President Mahama’s government will not tolerate corruption or abuse of office.
