The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has disclosed that the Ghanaian government is collaborating with U.S. authorities to freeze the bank accounts of Fredrick Kwarteng, the key suspect in the alleged visa and passport fraud scandal at Ghana’s Embassy in Washington, D.C.
Speaking in Parliament on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, Mr. Ablakwa said the move forms part of broader efforts to ensure accountability and bring all accomplices to justice.
“I underscore that Felix Kwarteng, the principal suspect in this case, along with any accomplices, will be held fully accountable under the law. This includes cooperating with US authorities to freeze the accounts linked to this criminal enterprise,” he stated.
The government temporarily shut down the embassy on May 26 after revelations of systemic abuse of office and fraudulent activity.
A special audit revealed that Kwarteng, a locally recruited IT staffer engaged in 2017, had created an unauthorised link on the embassy’s official website. This link diverted passport and visa applicants to his private firm, Ghana Travel Consultants (GTC), where they were charged unapproved fees ranging from $29.75 to $60.
Mr. Ablakwa, who also serves as MP for North Tongu, said a raft of actions has been initiated to uncover the full extent of the scam.
“I issued a series of directives, which are currently being enforced. One is an internal investigative committee to probe all locally recruited staff. EOCO has formally been notified to pursue Mr. Kwarteng, trace the prints of crime, and have him brought to Ghana for prosecution,” he said.