Ghana’s Embassy in Washington D.C reopens today

Ghana’s Embassy in Washington, D.C. will reopen today, May 29, 2025. The reopening follows a temporary closure ordered by Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa. This closure began on May 26 due to an alleged corruption scandal in the visa section.

Minister Ablakwa announced that a local IT staff member is accused of diverting embassy funds into a personal account. Dr. Alfred Oko Vanderpuije, Chairman of Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, supports the Minister's swift action. He praised the decision to temporarily close the Embassy as necessary for accountability.

Dr. Vanderpuije stated, “When we see corruption, we will not condone it.” He assured that when the embassy reopens, services will be free from corruption.

Meanwhile, the Minority in Parliament has urged Minister Ablakwa to be more tactful. They warned against using social media for major foreign policy announcements. Samuel A. Jinapor, Ranking Member on Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, criticized this approach.

Jinapor expressed surprise at learning about the closure through public announcements instead of prior engagement with the committee. He emphasized that significant actions should involve briefings and diplomatic channels.

While acknowledging the need for accountability, Jinapor stressed that such matters should be handled discreetly. He noted that this approach affects morale and Ghana's reputation abroad.

The Minority believes it is crucial to protect both foreign service officers and Ghanaian citizens overseas.