The Majority caucus of Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee has voiced strong support for Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa’s decisive action to temporarily close Ghana’s Embassy in Washington D.C. This move followed allegations of corruption and other improprieties within the embassy.
Committee Chairman Alfred Okoe Vanderpuye lauded the Minister’s decision as a “master stroke” in the government’s broader fight against misconduct in public service, particularly within Ghana’s foreign missions.
“We have observed with keen interest the activities of the Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Ministry concerning the closure. The reason for which closure became possible or realistic is known to all of us,” Vanderpuye explained. “The Minister acted on information from the embassy regarding fraudulent activities and corrupt practices, making the decision to close the embassy to reset its operations and reopen with an agenda to serve the public at the highest professional levels.”
In a subsequent development, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the reopening of Ghana’s Embassy in Washington D.C., effective Thursday, May 29, 2025, following the temporary closure for investigation. A specialized team of diplomats and IT specialists has been deployed to the embassy to conduct a comprehensive system overhaul, restore operational integrity, and reconfigure the website and payment platforms to eliminate unauthorized links.
The Ministry expressed regret for any inconvenience caused by these necessary interventions, assuring the public that measures are in place to clear any service backlog.
It says circumstances leading to the closure have been officially reported to the Auditor-General and the Attorney-General for further investigation and appropriate sanctions. This reinforces the Ministry’s unwavering commitment to enhancing service delivery, safeguarding transparency and accountability, and protecting Ghana’s international image.
Story By: Eugenia Ewoenam Osei
