ICYMI: Ghana Shuts Down Washington Embassy Over Visa Fraud Scandal

Ghana has temporarily closed its embassy in Washington, D.C., following the uncovering of a widespread visa fraud scheme that allegedly operated within the diplomatic mission for years.

The closure, announced by Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, follows an internal audit that revealed serious irregularities in the embassy’s visa and passport processing system. A locally recruited staff member, along with unnamed collaborators, is accused of creating an unauthorised web link to redirect applicants to a private company where they were charged unapproved fees ranging from $30 to $60.

According to the minister, proceeds from the scheme were deposited into the personal accounts of those involved, bypassing official government channels. The fraudulent operation is believed to have continued undetected for five years.

“This conduct has been reported to the Attorney-General for possible prosecution and the retrieval of misappropriated funds,” Ablakwa said, adding that the government is committed to rooting out corruption and enforcing accountability.

As part of the response, all foreign ministry staff in Washington have been recalled to Ghana, and all locally hired embassy staff have been suspended. The embassy will remain closed for several days while the government undertakes a complete restructuring and systems overhaul.

The decision has sparked criticism from the parliamentary minority, which described the closure as a hasty move that unnecessarily disrupts consular services and damages Ghana’s international reputation. They have called for targeted action against individuals responsible rather than a total shutdown of operations.

Despite the backlash, the government maintains that the temporary closure is essential to ensure transparency and to restore integrity to the embassy’s operations.

President John Mahama’s administration has reiterated its stance on zero tolerance for corruption and abuse of office.

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