By Mahmud Mohammed-Nurudeen
Ghana’s embassy in Washington DC has been temporarily closed for restructuring and a systems overhaul due to alleged corruption acts spanning at least 5 years, according to the country’s Foreign Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa.
All staff posted to the embassy have been recalled home with immediate effect, and the embassy’s IT department has been promptly dissolved. According to the minister, all locally recruited staff at the embassy have also been suspended.
A shocking revelation has emerged involving a local staff member at Ghana’s embassy in Washington DC. Fred Kwarteng, who was recruited on August 11, 2017, to work in the embassy’s IT department, allegedly created an unauthorized link on the embassy’s website.
The link diverted visa and passport applicants to his private company, Ghana Travel Consultants (GTC), where he charged exorbitant fees for multiple services without the knowledge or approval of the Ministry.
According to the Foreign Minister’s findings, Mr. Kwarteng’s illegal charges, which ranged from $29.75 to $60 per applicant, were not sanctioned by the Ministry or Parliament as required under the Fees and Charges Act. The proceeds from these charges were allegedly kept in Mr. Kwarteng’s private account, raising serious questions about corruption and embezzlement within the embassy.
Investigations further reveal that Mr. Kwarteng and his collaborators operated this illicit scheme for at least 5 years, exploiting unsuspecting applicants and undermining the integrity of Ghana’s diplomatic mission.
“His illegal extra charges which were not approved by the ministry and parliament as required under the Fees and Charges Act ranges from US$29.75 to US$60 per applicant. The Investigations reveal that he and his collaborators operated this illegal scheme for at least 5 years,” Mr. Ablakwa said.
Mr. Kwarteng’s conduct has been referred to the Attorney-General for potential prosecution and recovery of funds allegedly obtained through fraudulent means.
The Auditor-General has been invited to conduct a forensic examination of all transactions to determine the total cost of the alleged elaborate scheme.
The development is expected to temporarily affect visa and passport applications, said Mr. Ablakwa, who emphasized the need for radical measures to restructure the embassy.
The Foreign Minister assured that President Mahama’s government remains committed to demonstrating zero tolerance for corruption, conflict of interest and abuse of office.
