Ghana temporarily closes US embassy amid visa scandal allegations

Ghana's Foreign Affairs Minister has announced a temporary closure of the country’s embassy in Washington, D.C., as authorities investigate an alleged visa fraud scandal.

Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa revealed that the decision to shut down the embassy comes after an audit team he appointed uncovered serious irregularities linked to corruption within the diplomatic mission.

The closure is expected to last for several days while efforts to restructure and overhaul the embassy’s systems are underway.

Ablakwa explained that a locally hired staff member, along with accomplices, is suspected of running a fraudulent operation that involved collecting illegal payments from individuals applying for visas and passports.

The alleged scheme involved creating an unauthorized link on the embassy’s website that redirected visa and passport applicants to a private company, where they were charged additional fees for multiple services without the foreign ministry’s knowledge.

Ablakwa stated that the staff member involved kept all the money in their personal account and that the fraud had been ongoing for five years.

Visa applicants were reportedly charged unofficial fees ranging from nearly $30 (Sh3,876)to $60 (Sh7,753) by the private firm.

“This matter has been referred to the attorney-general for potential prosecution and recovery of funds obtained through fraudulent activities,” Ablakwa said.

Following the revelations, foreign ministry staff based in Washington have been recalled, and all locally hired employees at the embassy have been suspended, he added.

President John Mahama’s administration remains committed to a zero-tolerance policy on corruption, conflicts of interest, and abuse of office.