Ghana Embassy Scandal Prompts Brief DC Closure

Ghana temporarily closed its embassy in Washington, D.C., after uncovering a long-running scheme in which a locally recruited IT staff member and collaborators diverted visa and passport applicants to a private firm, charging unapproved fees and keeping proceeds in private accounts. The fraudulent operation reportedly spanned at least five years, leading to the immediate recall of foreign ministry staff, suspension of all local staff, and dissolution of the embassy's IT department. The case has been referred to the attorney-general for possible prosecution and recovery of funds. The embassy closure is expected to last only a few days, with a scheduled reopening on May 29, 2025. During the closure, a new team of diplomats and IT specialists will overhaul operations and online systems to close unauthorized payment channels. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has stated that reforms will clear service backlogs and prevent future abuses.