The Ghanaian government is working with U.S. authorities to freeze the bank accounts of Fredrick Kwarteng, the main suspect in the alleged visa and passport fraud scandal at Ghana’s Embassy in Washington, D.C., according to Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Mr. Ablakwa stated during his speech in Parliament on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, that the action is a component of larger initiatives to guarantee accountability and prosecute all of the conspirators.
“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.
Following reports of widespread official abuse and fraud, the government temporarily closed the embassy on May 26.
Kwarteng, a locally hired IT employee hired in 2017, was found to have made an unauthorized connection on the embassy’s official website, according to a special audit.
Through this link, applicants for passports and visas were redirected to Ghana Travel Consultants (GTC), his own company, where they were assessed unapproved fees that ranged from $29.75 to $60.
“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.
According to Mr. Ablakwa, who is also the MP for North Tongu, a number of steps have been taken to reveal the true scope of the fraud.
Source: newsthemegh.com