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Ghana shuts down Embassy in Washington D.C. over corruption scandal

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The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has announced the temporary closure of Ghana’s embassy in Washington, D.C., following allegations of widespread corruption and abuse of office at the diplomatic mission.

Mr. Ablakwa disclosed the decision on Monday, May 26, 2025, explaining that the closure is part of efforts “to finalise the ongoing restructuring and systems overhaul” after a special audit team uncovered a long-running fraudulent scheme at the embassy.

He described the move as regrettable but necessary to restore integrity and accountability to Ghana’s diplomatic operations.

“This is part of the drastic and decisive actions I have taken with the firm support of President Mahama, following the damning findings of a special audit team I put together a couple of months ago to investigate alleged corrupt practices at Ghana’s embassy in Washington D.C.,” he stated.

At the centre of the scandal is Fred Kwarteng, a locally recruited IT staff member employed in August 2017, who admitted to creating an unauthorised link on the embassy’s website.

This link redirected visa and passport applicants to his private firm, Ghana Travel Consultants (GTC), where they were charged unapproved fees ranging from US$29.75 to US$60.

These payments, which were not sanctioned by the Ministry or Parliament under the Fees and Charges Act, went directly into Kwarteng’s personal account. Investigations suggest the scheme had operated undetected for at least five years.

The matter has been referred to the Attorney-General for possible prosecution and the recovery of misappropriated funds.

Mr. Ablakwa further announced that all Foreign Ministry staff posted to the Washington D.C. mission have been recalled to Accra. The embassy’s IT department has been dissolved, and all locally recruited staff have been suspended pending further investigations.

The Auditor-General has been tasked with conducting a full forensic audit to determine the total financial loss to the state.

While acknowledging the inconvenience the temporary closure may cause Ghanaians and foreign nationals seeking consular services, Mr. Ablakwa insisted that such bold action is essential to cleanse the system.

“President Mahama’s government will continue to demonstrate zero tolerance for corruption, naked conflict of interest, and blatant abuse of office,” he emphasised.

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Chairman Wontumi to appear before Police CID today

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The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, is expected to appear before the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service today, Monday, May 26, 2025.

This follows a failed attempt by a joint team of National Security operatives and police officers to arrest him at his residence last Friday, May 23.

The attempted arrest triggered a swift reaction from NPP supporters, who thronged Chairman Wontumi’s residence in protest. The crowd, which grew throughout the morning, condemned the presence of heavily armed security personnel who had surrounded the property.

READ ALSO: Joint Police and National Security operatives storm Wontumi’s residence with search warrant

Although the motive behind the security operation remains unclear, Chairman Wontumi reportedly assured the officers that he would honour their invitation and present himself to the CID today.

His lawyer, Kwame Adom Appiah, speaking to Citi News, confirmed that they are ready to cooperate with the police.

“We are practicing democracy. Wontumi is not someone who can hide from the cameras. He is not someone who is going to run away. He has investments in Ghana, and he is not going to go anywhere. If you want him any time or day, you are going to get him. They have asked us to appear today, so we will go wherever we are asked to,” he said.

“We have not done anything criminal, and we are not afraid of getting to them,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Interior Minister, Ebenezer Okletey Terlabi, defended the attempted arrest and the approach used.

He insists that the operation was justified and conducted in accordance with national security protocols.

Speaking on Citi FM’s Eyewitness News on Friday, May 23, Terlabi dismissed suggestions of political motivation, stating that the National Investigations Bureau (NIB) acted within its mandate.

“The National Security will not go to Wontumi’s house without a reason. They went there with a reason. So let us allow the security personnel to do their job, because at the end of the day, what we need in this country is peace,” he said.

Addressing claims by Wontumi that the operation was an attempt to harass or harm him, Terlabi pushed back, describing the NPP chairman’s remarks as a distraction.

“He is just playing the victim. Nobody wants to kill Wontumi, and they did not go there to kill him. They went there to invite him. If you are to go and catch a wild dog, you do not go there without arming yourself,” he added.

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Rotational nurses and midwives to strike on June 2

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The Rotational Nurses and Midwives Association of Ghana has announced plans to embark on a nationwide strike starting June 2, 2025, in protest against the government’s failure to pay their outstanding allowances.

According to the Association, its members are owed 12 months of unpaid allowances, a situation they say has become untenable. Despite issuing a 14-working-day ultimatum to prompt government action, the group says its concerns have been met with silence.

Speaking to Citi News, the Association’s President, Ebenezer Boateng, expressed frustration over the continued neglect of their plight.

“The minister has not communicated officially to us, which is very sad. This is because they see us now as insignificant in the health sector, in the ministry, as well as to the public,” he lamented.

Boateng confirmed the group’s intention to proceed with the strike if no action is taken.

“On June 2, we are going on a nationwide strike. We do not want to hear any story from them. This has been a consistent problem for about 5 years now. All they give is an assurance, we don’t need that now,” he stated.

The Association says it is left with no choice but to withdraw its services until concrete steps are taken to resolve the payment delays.

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Ameyaw-Akumfi granted GH¢10m bail

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Former Board Chairman of the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF), Prof. Christopher Ameyaw-Akumfi, has been granted bail in the sum of GH¢10 million with two sureties, to be justified with landed property in Greater Accra.

As part of the bail conditions, he is to deposit his passport and all other travel documents with the court and report to the investigator once every week.

The case has been adjourned to June 10 at 9:00 a.m.

READ ALSO: Prof. Ameyaw-Akumfi Charged Over Unexecuted $2 Million Sky Train Deal

Prof. Ameyaw-Akumfi earlier pleaded not guilty to charges of wilfully causing financial loss to the state, intentional dissipation of public funds, and conspiracy to commit crime.

His plea was entered on Monday, May 26, after he missed two previous court appearances due to reported medical emergencies.

Prof. Ameyaw-Akumfi is standing trial alongside Solomon Asamoah, a former CEO of the GIIF, in connection with the controversial transfer of $2 million of public funds into a private account belonging to Africa Investor Holdings.

According to the prosecution, the funds were transferred without proper authorisation or due diligence, allegedly for the construction of a proposed Sky Train project.

The state contends that the transaction—executed during the accused persons’ tenure—violated legal and administrative protocols, resulting in a significant financial loss to the state.

Both men deny any wrongdoing and are expected to mount a full defence as the trial progresses.

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