The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has referred Frederick Kwarteng, a former IT Officer at Ghana’s Embassy in Washington, D.C., to the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) and the Attorney General for prosecution.
This action follows revelations from a Special Audit Team, which uncovered fraudulent activity involving illegal visa processing, conflict of interest, and unauthorized courier services tied to a company Mr. Kwarteng founded, known as Ghana Travel Consultants (GTC).
Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa disclosed in Parliament that Mr. Kwarteng allegedly diverted passport and visa applicants to his private company, raking in about $4.8 million annually through the unlawful scheme.
The company reportedly operated without a formal agreement with the mission, violating diplomatic and financial procedures. As a result of these findings, Ghana’s Embassy in Washington was temporarily closed on May 26, 2025, to initiate a systems overhaul.
Minister Ablakwa confirmed that EOCO had been tasked to trace the proceeds of the crime, identify collaborators, and ensure Mr. Kwarteng is extradited to Ghana for prosecution. Additionally, Ghana is working with U.S. authorities to freeze any accounts linked to the scheme. The Auditor-General has also been engaged to conduct a forensic audit to determine the full financial impact of the fraud.
The embassy has since reopened with enhanced security and administrative measures, including a restructured IT system, biometric staff monitoring, expanded communication channels, and a renewed client service approach.
Ablakwa assured Parliament that reforms are ongoing, and a full report from the Internal Investigative Committee will soon be submitted to ensure accountability and restore public trust in Ghana’s foreign missions.
