Accra, Wednesday, June 18, 2025 – Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has announced the full reopening of the Ghanaian Embassy in Washington D.C., following weeks of intense investigations, technological upgrades, and institutional reforms.
Delivering a statement to Parliament, the Minister disclosed that significant progress had been made between May 27 and June 13, 2025, including the processing of 4,472 visas and the dispatch of 3,588 passports. A total of 3,729 new visa applications were also received during this period, with all backlog cases from April and May fully addressed.
The Minister outlined a series of directives that were swiftly implemented to restore order and public confidence in the Mission. These include the establishment of an Internal Investigative Committee, the overhaul of the Mission’s IT systems, the streamlining of the Client Services Centre, the implementation of a secure mailing system, and the introduction of a biometric clock-in system to monitor staff attendance.
Additionally, the Minister reported that Ghana’s Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) has been officially notified to pursue Mr. Fred Kwarteng—implicated in alleged financial misconduct—with the aim of tracing proceeds of crime and facilitating his extradition for prosecution.
“Contrary to propaganda out there, no new recruitment has taken place at our Washington D.C. Mission,” the Minister stressed. “All replacements are Foreign Service Officers of distinguished integrity and experience. This decisive intervention reflects the Mahama administration’s zero tolerance for corruption, abuse of office, and client exploitation.”
To tackle logistical challenges, particularly related to mailing delays caused by the United States Postal Service (USPS), the Mission has staggered its package dispatches to a maximum of 200 per day to ensure better tracking and delivery reliability. Approximately 490 visa packages dispatched on June 6 and 9 were reportedly not scanned properly, leading to confusion among applicants.
In terms of staff accountability, the internal committee has already interviewed 25 locally recruited staff, some of whom have resigned. A comprehensive report is expected upon completion of the inquiry.
On the technology front, unauthorized access points have been removed, a live chat system has been launched, and official email accounts have been upgraded to promote professionalism. The Minister also highlighted the introduction of three additional phone lines to reduce call congestion and announced the launch of a mandatory training programme for staff focusing on client service and ethics.
The Minister commended the dedication of officers, some of whom have worked late into the night to clear the service backlog. Working hours at the Mission have been extended from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., with some staff staying beyond 10:00 p.m.
“The Washington D.C. Mission is now fully reopened, operations are stabilizing, and confidence in Ghana’s diplomatic presence in the United States is being restored,” the Minister affirmed. “As Minister, I remain committed to ensuring justice is served, institutional reforms are sustained, and the highest standards of integrity and service delivery are upheld across all our Missions abroad.”
He assured Parliament that continuous updates would be provided as both the investigations and reforms advance.
Source: Clement Akoloh||parliamentnews360.com
