WASHINGTON, D.C. — Ghana has temporarily closed its embassy in the United States capital following the discovery of a long-running visa and passport scam allegedly orchestrated by embassy staff.
Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa announced the closure after what he called “damning findings” from an internal audit into corruption at the mission. The embassy will remain shut for several days while undergoing a full restructuring and systems overhaul.
According to Ablakwa, a locally recruited staff member and unidentified collaborators created an unauthorized link on the embassy’s website that redirected applicants to a private firm. There, individuals seeking visas and passports were charged unapproved fees ranging from $30 to $60 for services that should have been free or government-regulated.
The audit found that the proceeds, accumulated over a five-year period, were funneled into the private account of the implicated staff member. None of the extra charges were disclosed to Ghana’s Foreign Ministry.
“This conduct has been reported to the Attorney-General for possible prosecution and recovery of the stolen funds,” Ablakwa stated.
In response, the Ghanaian government has recalled foreign ministry staff based in Washington and suspended all locally recruited personnel at the embassy.
“President John Mahama’s administration will continue to demonstrate zero tolerance for corruption, naked conflict of interest, and blatant abuse of office,” the minister affirmed.
