Ghana Temporarily Shuts Down US Embassy Over Visa Scam Probe

Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has temporarily closed its embassy in Washington, D.C., as it investigates a major visa scam allegedly run from within the mission.

According to Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the move comes after an internal audit exposed a fraudulent scheme involving a locally hired IT staff member. The individual, identified as Fred Kwarteng, is accused of diverting visa and passport applicants to his private company, Ghana Travel Consultants (GTC), via unauthorized links embedded on the embassy’s official website.

Over the past five years, unsuspecting applicants were reportedly charged extra fees—ranging from $30 to $60—outside of official channels, with the money paid directly into Kwarteng’s personal account.

In response to the scandal, the Ministry has taken swift action:

• All foreign service staff at the embassy have been recalled to Ghana.

• All local staff have been suspended.

• The embassy’s IT department has been dissolved.

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

The embassy will remain closed for a few days to allow for a full audit and restructuring of its operations. Meanwhile, consular services may be temporarily handled through Ghana’s Consulate in New York.

Minister Ablakwa reaffirmed the government’s stance on zero tolerance for corruption, vowing to restore integrity and public trust in Ghana’s diplomatic missions abroad.