Deputy National Organiser of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Elikem Kotoko, has praised Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa for his swift action in shutting down the country’s embassy in Washington, D.C., following a corruption scandal.
Elikem Kotoko described the move as a bold message against misconduct in foreign missions.
“It is justified to commend Honourable Ablakwa for taking a step to nip whatever it is in the bud before it blows out of proportion”.
The minister’s decision came after a special audit uncovered a fraudulent scheme involving Fred Kwarteng, a locally recruited IT staff member who allegedly created an unauthorized payment link on the embassy’s website.
The link redirected visa and passport applicants to his private company, Ghana Travel Consultants (GTC), where they were charged unapproved fees ranging from $29.75 to $60.
Ablakwa explained that the temporary closure would allow for a full restructuring of embassy operations and the finalization of an ongoing systems overhaul.
He acknowledged that the decision was regrettable but emphasized that it was necessary to restore public confidence and protect Ghana’s diplomatic integrity abroad.
Kotoko noted that regardless of the approach taken, public scrutiny was inevitable.
“People may have different views on the appropriate response, but at the moment, this decisive action sends the strongest message”.
