Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Minister of Foreign Affairs
Ghana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has disclosed startling findings in the ongoing investigation into alleged financial misconduct at Ghana’s Embassy in Washington, D.C.
According to the Minister, a key suspect in the scandal, Fred Kwarteng, is believed to have earned a staggering $4.8 million annually while serving at the embassy.
Of this amount, $1.8 million reportedly came from courier service operations alone.
“Mr. Speaker, investigations conducted by the top management of our ministry revealed that GTC dispatched between 150 and 350 visas and passports daily. On average, about 250 visas and passports were dispatched per day.
“Right Honorable Speaker, this implies that GTC dispatched approximately 62,500 visas and passports annually. Mr. Fred Kwarteng was therefore raking in an estimated $1.8 million each year from courier services alone.
“Mr. Speaker, you can comprehend the substantial sum he earned annually when you add the fees he charged, between $60 and $100, for assisting applicants in completing their visa and passport forms. By a conservative analysis, he made about $4.8 million annually from this unlawful enterprise,” Ablakwa disclosed this on the floor of Parliament on June 18, 2025.
Meanwhile, Parliament is pressing for a full-scale investigation and possible legal action to address the alleged abuse of public office and state resources.
The sector minister reiterated that his ministry remains committed to ensuring transparency and restoring integrity across Ghana’s diplomatic missions.
Ghana-Washington DC Embassy Scandal: ‘Suspect Fred Kwarteng was earning $1.8m annually for courier services alone, with total earnings reaching $4.8m a year’ – Foreign Affairs Minister Okudzeto Ablakwa reveals.
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