Accra, Ghana – [Date] – Ghana has temporarily shut its embassy in Washington, DC, following the discovery of an alleged visa and passport scam involving a locally employed staff member and collaborators, Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa announced.
An audit uncovered that an unauthorized link on the embassy’s website redirected applicants to a private firm, which charged extra fees—ranging from $30 to $60—without government approval. The scheme allegedly operated for five years, with proceeds funneled into a private account.
“This conduct has been reported to the attorney-general for possible prosecution and retrieval of fraudulently obtained funds,” Ablakwa stated. All local staff have been suspended, and diplomatic personnel recalled to Ghana. The closure, expected to last “a few days,” will allow for a “restructuring and systems overhaul.”
President John Mahama’s government reiterated its “zero tolerance for corruption,” vowing accountability. The case highlights vulnerabilities in visa processing systems at diplomatic missions.