In a decisive move against corruption, Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa, has announced sweeping reforms at the country’s embassy in Washington DC after an internal audit revealed a five-year visa scam.
This comes with the firm backing of President Mahama, emphasizing the government’s commitment to integrity and transparency within its diplomatic missions.
The scandal came to light after an investigation uncovered that Mr. Fred Kwarteng, a local staff member hired in 2017, created an unauthorized link on the embassy’s website.
This link diverted visa and passport applicants to his private company, Ghana Travel Consultants (GTC), where he charged additional fees ranging from $29.75 to $60 per applicant. The proceeds from this fraudulent scheme were funneled directly into his personal account without the ministry’s approval.
In response to these alarming findings, Minister Ablakwa took immediate action:
- Dismissal of Key Staff: Mr. Kwarteng has been dismissed from his position, and the Attorney-General has been notified for potential prosecution and recovery of funds obtained through these illegal activities.
- Recall of Embassy Staff: All Ministry of Foreign Affairs staff posted to the Washington embassy have been recalled home to ensure a thorough review of operations.
- Dissolution of IT Department: The embassy’s IT department has been dissolved to prevent further misuse of technology in fraudulent practices.
- Suspension of Local Staff: All locally recruited staff at the embassy have been suspended pending further investigation.
- Forensic Audit: The Auditor-General has been invited to conduct a forensic examination of all transactions related to the embassy to ascertain the full extent of the fraud.
- Temporary Closure: The embassy will remain closed for several days as officials work on restructuring and implementing new systems to enhance operational integrity.
Minister Ablakwa expressed regret over any inconvenience these measures may cause visa and passport applicants but reiterated the government’s zero-tolerance policy towards corruption and abuse of office.
As Ghana navigates this challenging situation, officials remain committed to restoring public trust and ensuring that its diplomatic missions operate with the highest standards of accountability.
Story Written By Adu Kingsley | Kobby Kyei News
