Ghana Shuts Down Embassy in Washington, D.C. Amid Widening Visa Fraud Scandal

Ghana has temporarily closed its embassy in Washington, D.C. and recalled all diplomatic staff following the discovery of a visa and passport fraud scheme allegedly involving embassy personnel.

The announcement was made by Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, who disclosed that a special audit uncovered unauthorized activity linked to the embassy’s website. A local IT staff member allegedly created a fake portal redirecting applicants to a private company that charged additional fees for consular services.

Fake Visa Portal Exposed

According to the Minister, visa and passport applicants were unknowingly redirected to the fake link and charged between $30 and $60, with the proceeds allegedly deposited into a private account. The scheme reportedly operated undetected for at least five years, raising serious concerns about oversight and digital security at the diplomatic mission.

Embassy Closed, Staff Recalled

In an effort to restore integrity and improve internal controls, the entire embassy staff has been recalled to Ghana, and the IT department dissolved. Minister Ablakwa confirmed that the embassy will remain closed “for a few days” to allow for system restructuring and an internal overhaul.

“Ghana’s embassy in Washington, D.C. shall be closed for a few days from today as we finalize the ongoing restructuring and systems overhaul,” Ablakwa stated on X (formerly Twitter).

Government Reaffirms Zero Tolerance for Corruption

Minister Ablakwa reiterated the government’s firm stance on corruption, emphasizing that President John Mahama’s administration maintains a zero-tolerance policy for abuse of office, financial misconduct, and conflict of interest.

This high-profile scandal has sparked calls for increased transparency and tighter cybersecurity measures across Ghana’s embassies worldwide, especially regarding visa processing systems.