Embassy closure over visa fraud unnecessary – Asafo-Adjei Ayeh slams govt

Nana Asafo-Adjei Ayeh, Deputy Ranking Member of the Parliamentary Foreign Affairs Committee, criticized the government for publicly shutting down Ghana’s embassy in Washington, D.C. This action followed a visa fraud scandal.

He argued that the situation could have been handled discreetly. This would have avoided international embarrassment for Ghana. Speaking on Citi Eyewitness News on May 26, he expressed concern about the Foreign Affairs Ministry's approach.

Ayeh stated, “You do not shut down the entire country because there is a visa problem.” He emphasized that the embassy represents Ghana abroad. Shutting it down harms the country's reputation.

While he praised efforts to clean up the system, he warned against bad publicity. “Today, everybody across the country is discussing Ghana,” he noted. The closure raises questions about trust from other countries.

He suggested that those involved could have been quietly investigated and prosecuted in Ghana. His comments came after Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa announced the embassy's closure for restructuring and addressing fraudulent practices.