Accra, Ghana – Ghana has temporarily closed its embassy in Washington D.C., the US capital, following an internal investigation into an alleged widespread visa and passport fraud scheme. The country’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Ablakwa, announced the closure, citing “damning findings” from an audit team he established to investigate corruption at the diplomatic mission.
The embassy is expected to remain shut for “a few days” to allow for a “restructuring and systems overhaul” to be finalised.
According to Minister Ablakwa, the alleged scheme involved a locally recruited staff member and their “collaborators” who reportedly extracted money from visa and passport applicants over a period of five years. It is alleged that an unauthorised link was created on the embassy’s website, redirecting applicants to a private firm where they were “charged extra for multiple services” without the knowledge of the foreign ministry. The staff member is accused of having “kept the entire proceeds” in their private account, with unapproved fees ranging from almost $30 to $60 per applicant.
Mr. Ablakwa stated that this conduct has been reported to the attorney-general for “possible prosecution and retrieval of funds obtained through fraudulent schemes.” As a result, all foreign ministry staff in Washington D.C. have been recalled to Ghana, and all locally recruited embassy staff have been suspended.
The minister affirmed that “President [John] Mahama’s government will continue to demonstrate zero tolerance for corruption, naked conflict of interest and blatant abuse of office.”
Analysis:
Ghana’s swift and public action to close its embassy in Washington D.C. due to alleged corruption sends a strong message both domestically and internationally. This move underscores a stated commitment to combating corruption within government institutions, an issue that has plagued many African nations and often undermines public trust and international standing.
The details of the alleged scam – involving an unauthorised website link, redirection to a private firm, and the accused staff member personally profiting – point to a sophisticated scheme that exploited a vital public service for personal gain. The duration of the alleged fraud, spanning five years, raises questions about oversight mechanisms within the embassy prior to the current administration’s audit.
The recalling of foreign ministry staff and the suspension of locally recruited personnel indicate the seriousness with which the Ghanaian government is treating the allegations. It also suggests a recognition that the problem might be systemic or at least deeply entrenched, requiring a comprehensive clean-up rather than just individual disciplinary action.
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