By: Kenneth appiah bani
$4.8 Million Scheme Exposed as Government Implements Sweeping Reforms and Restores Integrity to U.S. Mission
Yesterday, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, presented a detailed briefing to Parliament on the recent temporary closure and subsequent reopening of Ghana’s Diplomatic Mission in Washington, D.C., following the exposure of a multi-million dollar visa fraud and administrative misconduct scandal.
In his address, the Minister described the situation as one of the most serious breaches of public trust within Ghana’s foreign missions and confirmed that the government had taken swift and decisive actions to address the rot, restore order, and safeguard Ghana’s diplomatic reputation.
Background: How a Private Courier Empire Was Built Inside a Public Embassy
At the center of the scandal is Mr. Fred Kwarteng, an Information Technology Officer at the Ghana Embassy in Washington, who secretly operated a private company Ghana Travel Consultants (GTC) while still working at the Mission.
Investigations revealed that Mr. Kwarteng linked his private courier business directly to the Embassy’s official visa processing website, compelling applicants to use his services. For each delivery, GTC charged $29.75 and between $60 and $100 to assist applicants in filling out visa forms.
With an average of 250 visas/passports processed daily, the scheme raked in an estimated $4.8 million annually, with no proceeds accounted for in the Mission’s official records.
In a key revelation, Hon. Ablakwa presented a formal query letter dated November 19, 2019, addressed to Fred Kwarteng by then Head of Chancery, Mrs. Genevieve Apaloo, warning him against unauthorized modifications to the Embassy’s website.
“It has come to the notice of Management… you modified the Embassy’s website without the necessary express approval,” the letter read, asking Mr. Kwarteng to explain why disciplinary action should not be taken against him.
Despite this early warning, no punitive action was taken. Instead, in 2023, former Ambassador Hajia Alima Mahama formally contracted GTC to handle courier services thereby legitimizing an illegal operation that began years earlier.
The Minister emphasized that Kwarteng did not act alone. Evidence points to a network of silent enablers within the Embassy. GTC reportedly deposited funds into an unauthorized “welfare account” used for unofficial activities, which remained unaudited for years.
“The Head of Chancery and the Head of Consular Section failed in their oversight responsibilities,” Ablakwa stated, adding that their inaction enabled widespread abuse and exploitation of Ghanaian and foreign clients.
Hon. Ablakwa outlined the bold steps taken with the full backing of President John Dramani Mahama to overhaul the Mission:
Immediate dismissal of Fred Kwarteng
Recall of all Foreign Service Officers at post in Washington
Suspension of all locally recruited staff
Dissolution of the IT Department
Forensic audit by the Auditor-General
EOCO and Attorney General assigned to investigate, trace illicit gains, and prosecute the suspects
Temporary closure of the Embassy to allow for a systems overhaul
Ambassador Jane Gasu Aheto was appointed Acting Head of Mission and led a Reform Team to Washington. Upon arrival, they found over 2,300 unprocessed visa applications, no tracking system, and an average of 350 new applications being submitted daily.
Since the Embassy’s reopening on May 29, 2025, major progress has been made:
4,472 visas processed
3,588 passports dispatched
3,729 new visa applications received
Backlog for April and May fully cleared
Working hours extended from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., with some officers staying until 10:00 p.m.
The Mission’s IT infrastructure has been completely rebuilt. A live chat system, new secure email accounts, and biometric attendance systems have been introduced to improve transparency and accountability.
Over 2,277 real-time chats and 543 email inquiries were handled within two weeks.
Three new telephone lines have been activated to reduce congestion and improve client access.
Mandatory training on ethics and service delivery is now underway for staff.
An Internal Investigative Committee has interviewed 25 local staff, with several resignations already submitted. Meanwhile, EOCO is coordinating with U.S. authorities to freeze accounts and trace assets linked to Mr. Kwarteng’s illicit enterprise.
However, mailing delays persist due to failures at USPS, particularly affecting 490 visa packages sent on June 6 and 9. In response, dispatches are now limited to 200 packages per day to improve tracking.
Responding to speculation, Minister Ablakwa firmly stated:
“No political recruitment has taken place. All replacements are career Foreign Service Officers with longstanding, credible records.”
Hon. Ablakwa assured Parliament and the public that the Embassy has fully reopened and that operations have stabilized. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to accountability and transparency in foreign service delivery.
“This scandal will not be swept under the carpet. Ghana’s image must not be tarnished again by a few selfish individuals. We will pursue every cedi, every dollar, every accomplice.”
Attachment:
Official 2019 Query Letter to Fred Kwarteng (Image Below)
