Fred Kwarteng served as a locally recruited IT officer at Ghana’s Embassy in Washington, D.C. in the United States of America (USA), from August 11, 2017, until his dismissal in May 2025.
Mr. Kwarteng tenure ended following revelations of his involvement in a fraudulent scheme that compromised the integrity of the embassy’s operations.
Professional Background
According to GhanaRegions.com, Fred Kwarteng as an IT officer, he was responsible for managing and maintaining the embassy’s digital infrastructure. His role was pivotal in ensuring the smooth operation of the embassy’s online services, including visa and passport application processes.
Allegations and Dismissal
In May 2025, Ghana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, announced Kwarteng’s immediate dismissal. Investigations revealed that Kwarteng had created an unauthorized link on the embassy’s official website, redirecting visa and passport applicants to his private company, Ghana Travel Consultants (GTC). Through this scheme, he charged applicants additional fees ranging from $29.75 to $60, which were not sanctioned by the Ministry or Parliament. The proceeds were allegedly deposited into his personal account.
The fraudulent activities are reported to have spanned at least five years. As a result, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs took several actions:
Immediate dismissal of Fred Kwarteng.
Recall of all Ministry staff posted to the Washington embassy.
Suspension of all locally recruited staff at the embassy.
Dissolution of the embassy’s IT department.
Temporary closure of the embassy to facilitate restructuring and a systems overhaul.
The case has been referred to the Attorney-General for possible prosecution and recovery of funds obtained through the fraudulent scheme.
Current Status
As of now, Fred Kwarteng has not publicly responded to the allegations. The Ghanaian government continues its investigations to determine the full extent of the fraud and implement measures to prevent future occurrences.
Copy of Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, announced dismissal letter:
