Ablakwa Discloses Amount Fraud Suspect Allegedly Stole Via Embassy in US: “$4.8 Million Annually”

Ablakwa Discloses Amount Fraud Suspect Allegedly Stole Via Embassy in US: “$4.8 Million Annually”

  • The former Head of IT at Ghana’s Embassy in the US, accused of fraud, is alleged to have been making $4.8 million annually
  • Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa gave updates on the case to Parliament
  • The former Head of IT at the embassy, Fred Kwarteng, used an unauthorised link to divert visa applicants for personal gain

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The former Head of IT at Ghana’s Embassy in Washington, accused of fraud, Fred Kwarteng, is alleged to have made $4.8 million annually from his actions.

Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa gave updates on the case to Parliament on June 18.

Ghana Embassy, Ablakwa, Corruption, Washington DC, Fraud, Embassy Reopen
Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa says suspect in fraud at Ghana embassy in the US was making $4.8 million annually
Source: Facebook

He told parliament that the closure of the Washington Mission on May 26 because of the discovery was justified.

Fred Kwarteng is accused of creating an unauthorised link on the embassy’s website, which diverted visa and passport applicants to his company, Ghana Travel Consultants, where he charged extra for multiple services on the blind side of the embassy.

“By the analysis made by the fact-finding team, which is a team made up of distinguished senior diplomats, management of the Foreign Affairs Ministry, Mr. Fred Kwarteng was making $4.8 million annually from his unlawful enterprise.
“It is important to note that there was no share of this amount to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Given the amount of funds that were derived from the authorised operations, it has become imperative to invite EOCO and the Attorney General to investigate, trace the proceeds, and prosecute Fred Kwarteng and his collaborators as instructed by the President.”

Ablakwa also noted that the government is collaborating with US authorities to freeze the bank accounts of Kwarteng.

He assured that any accomplices will be held fully accountable under the law.

The government temporarily shut down the embassy on May 26 after revelations of systemic abuse of office and fraudulent activity. The embassy reopened three days later.

A team of seasoned diplomats has been tasked to run the mission.

There is expected to be a total systems overhaul and revamp of the embassy’s operations.

Ghana Embassy, Ablakwa, Corruption, Washington DC, Fraud, Embassy Reopen
Ghana Embassy in Washington D.C., US, is recovering from a corruption scandal. Source: Ghana Embassy in US
Source: UGC

About the alleged corruption at the embassy

Ablakwa said Kwarteng was a locally recruited IT staff member employed in August 2017.

Kwarteng is said to have admitted to creating an unauthorised link on the embassy’s website to charge unapproved fees.

This link redirected visa and passport applicants to his private firm, where fees of up to US$60 were charged. This scheme is said to have run for at least five years.

Man paid $1.5m in sale of Ghana property in Nigeria

In April, YEN.com.gh reported on the arrest of one Bright Mensah Bonsu, who is said to have received $1.5 million and signed documents purporting to sell a prime diplomatic property belonging to Ghana’s High Commission in Nigeria.

Bonsu was arrested by Ghanaian security operatives, according to the minister.

Ablakwa said Bonsu describes himself as a special aide to former Ghana High Commissioner to Nigeria, the late Alhaji Rashid Bawa.

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Proofreading by Samuel Gitonga, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.

Source: YEN.com.gh

Authors:
Delali Adogla-Bessa avatar

Delali Adogla-Bessa (Head of Current Affairs and Politics Desk) Delali Adogla-Bessa is a Current Affairs Editor with YEN.com.gh. Delali previously worked as a freelance journalist in Ghana and has over seven years of experience in media, primarily with Citi FM, Equal Times, Ubuntu Times. Delali also volunteers with the Ghana Institute of Language Literacy and Bible Translation, where he documents efforts to preserve local languages. He graduated from the University of Ghana in 2014 with a BA in Information Studies. Email: delali.adogla-bessa@yen.com.gh.