by Kandiss Edwards
Might 27, 2025
Ghana’s International Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, introduced the momentary closure of its D.C. embassy to restructure after fraud.
On Might 26, Ghana’s International Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, introduced the momentary closure of the nation’s embassy.
The Washington, D.C. embassy was shut down following the invention of a visa and passport fraud scheme. An inside audit uncovered {that a} domestically recruited employees member, Fred Kwarteng, orchestrated a fraud operation. The operation is alleged to have occurred over 5 years, the BBC reported.
Kwarteng and his collaborators created an unauthorized hyperlink on the embassy’s visa web site. The hyperlink redirected candidates to Ghana Journey Consultants. Subsequently, candidates have been charged unapproved charges starting from $30 to $60 by Ghana Journey Advisor’s companies, which ought to have been processed straight by the embassy.
The false visa transaction proceeds have been then funneled to employees members’ non-public accounts. In response to those findings, Minister Ablakwa made a put up on Fb detailing the scheme and subsequent actions by the federal government. Ghana’s international ministry denies information of the scheme and lays the blame at Kwarteng’s toes. In response to the federal government, the workers’ actions are “illicit” and unapproved.
The Ghanaian-Washington D.C.-recruited employees have been suspended. The international ministry personnel in Washington have been recalled to Ghana. The Ghanaian embassy closure is predicted to final a number of days to facilitate a complete restructuring and programs overhaul. Stopping future misconduct is the purpose of the closure.
The matter has been referred to the lawyer basic for potential prosecution. The lawyer basic may even search reimbursement for the stolen funds. Ablakwa confused that the Ghanaian authorities is dedicated to zero tolerance for corruption and abuse of workplace.
Although the federal government is taking accountability and disciplining its staff, different Ghanaian officers are taking exception to the Fb press launch. Deputy Rating Member on the International Affairs Committee, Nana Kwame Asafo-Adjei Ayeh, reported the considerations of many Ghanaian officers.
Ayh believes that swift motion to make a press release can smash the nation’s repute.
“You assume stakeholders — just like the U.S. authorities — could be snug coping with an embassy that Ghana’s personal minister has declared fraudulent? That is why we insist the minister’s strategy was flawed.”
Whether or not the federal government has taken successful on its repute because of these occasions stays to be seen.
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