Gov’t, U.S. to freeze fraud suspect’s bank accounts

Foreign Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, says the government is working with U.S. officials to freeze the accounts of Fredrick Kwarteng.

Kwarteng is the key suspect in the visa and passport fraud scandal at Ghana’s Embassy in Washington, D.C.

Addressing Parliament on June 18, Ablakwa stressed that all parties involved will be brought to justice. “We’re collaborating with U.S. authorities to freeze all accounts tied to this criminal enterprise,” he stated.

The embassy shut down temporarily on May 26 after an internal audit uncovered serious misconduct. Investigators found that Kwarteng, an IT staffer hired in 2017, created an unauthorized link on the embassy’s website. That link redirected applicants to his private firm, Ghana Travel Consultants (GTC), where they were charged unapproved fees of $29.75 to $60.

To get to the bottom of the issue, Ablakwa said he had launched several investigations. A special committee is now probing all locally hired staff. Meanwhile, EOCO has been tasked with tracking down Kwarteng and working on his extradition to Ghana.

“I’ve issued clear directives. EOCO is on it. We’re taking every step to ensure accountability,” he said.