SHOCK – Ghana embassy in Washington DC staff fingered in diverting visa and passport fees into private account

Fred Kwarteng, a local staff member at the Ghana embassy in Washington DC, has been accused of diverting visa and passport fees into private accounts.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, stated that Kwarteng illegally redirected applicants to his company, Ghana Travel Consultants.

Ablakwa shared this information on X. He mentioned that President Mahama supported a special audit team to investigate corruption at the embassy.

Kwarteng was hired on August 11, 2017, for the IT department. He created an unauthorized link on the embassy's website. This link sent applicants to his company where he charged extra fees without approval.

These illegal charges ranged from $29.75 to $60 per applicant. Investigations revealed that Kwarteng and his collaborators operated this scheme for at least five years.

The case has been reported to the Attorney-General for possible prosecution and recovery of funds.

Ablakwa announced that all staff at the Washington embassy have been recalled immediately. The IT department has also been dissolved, and locally recruited staff are suspended.

He further revealed that Ghana’s embassy in Washington DC will close temporarily due to these issues. The closure will last a few days as they restructure operations.

Ablakwa apologized for any inconvenience caused to visa and passport applicants during this time. He emphasized that President Mahama’s government is committed to fighting corruption and abuse of office.