The Ghana Embassy in Washington has recently been the subject of allegations involving a $19 million fraud, sparking a controversy that has now been addressed by Kofi Tonto, a former Head of Information and Public Affairs at the embassy. Adomonline.com reports that Mr. Tonto has vehemently denied any involvement in the alleged scheme, asserting that he received a one-time payment of $800 in July 2021, which he describes as a legitimate child benefit. The allegations, stemming from a forensic audit conducted by the Ghana Audit Service between 2017 and 2025, link the claims to the alleged fraudulent activities at the embassy. Mr. Tonto stated he was not named as a person of interest in the audit report, a point he emphasized throughout his statement. The alleged $800 payment, he explained, was intended as a lawful child benefit paid after his daughter’s birth in January 2021. He further clarified that the standard practice of providing child benefits preceded his tenure at the embassy, and that a one-time payment, without his consent or control, could not be construed as complicity in a multi-million-dollar scheme. Mr. Tonto stressed that all compensations, allowances, and refunds he received during his tenure were handled through established and transparent processes, including the regular processing of bank account transactions. He asserted that he was never involved in decisions regarding the financial management of the embassy, specifically concerning the operation or closure of any bank account, and urged public scrutiny to cease the distortion of his character. The Embassy has confirmed that the allegations are being investigated, and Mr. Tonto’s statement reflects his stance against any misrepresentation. The investigation, which commenced in 2017, covers the period 2017 to 2025. The audit service report details a significant amount of money being transferred to the embassy, and the implications of this are currently being examined. The incident has heightened tensions between the Ghanaian government and the US Embassy, raising questions about the security of sensitive financial data.
Source: Adom Online
