Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has ordered the immediate temporary closure of the country’s embassy in Washington, DC, following explosive findings of a long-running visa and passport scam.
The shutdown, expected to last several days, comes after an internal audit uncovered a fraudulent scheme involving a locally hired staff member and collaborators who allegedly siphoned money from applicants through an unauthorized payment portal.
How Fake Embassy Website Link Was Used to Scam Applicants
Investigators revealed that the scheme involved embedding an illicit link on the official embassy website, redirecting visa and passport seekers to a private firm that charged inflated fees—ranging from $30 to $60—without government approval. The fraudulent operation reportedly ran undetected for five years, with proceeds funneled directly into a personal bank account.
The Ghanaian government has recalled all foreign ministry personnel from Washington and suspended locally employed staff pending further investigation.
Ablakwa confirmed the case has been escalated to the attorney-general for potential criminal prosecution and recovery of embezzled funds.
Embassy Announces Zero-Tolerance Policy on Corruption as it Restructures
President John Mahama’s administration has vowed to root out corruption, with Ablakwa emphasizing a “systems overhaul” to prevent future abuses. The temporary closure will allow for restructuring of consular operations, including stricter oversight of online visa applications and financial transactions.
The embassy closure disrupts services for Ghanaians and travelers, though authorities have assured that emergency consular assistance remains available through alternative channels.
