For six years, thousands of visa and passport applicants in Ghana were systematically defrauded, with a staggering $19.3 million in irregular proceeds originating from the Ghana’s Embassy in Washington, D.C., according to a newly released forensic audit by the Auditor-General. The audit, conducted following a previous escalation of concerns about delays, missing documents, and unclear fee structures, has revealed a deeply embedded system of illicit transactions.
The findings, detailed in the report published on MyJoyOnline, stem from an earlier investigation by Ghana’s Auditor General, exposing a complex web of manipulation and mismanagement within the Embassy’s consular services. The audit’s core assertion is that the system, initially implemented in 2019, was fundamentally altered through website manipulation, external platforms, and a series of additional charges embedded within the application process.
The audit traces the origins of the illicit fees to a central point: the redirection of applicants to privately controlled platforms, effectively turning the embassy’s official processes into a roundabout scheme. Initially, applicants were directed to these platforms, where they were required to pay $29.75 per application for passport returns, representing nearly $20 above the standard service charge. This redirection, however, was merely the first step.
The audit’s investigation revealed a systematic pattern of charges across multiple stages of the application process: a $6,945,554.00 allocation in 2019 and 2021, a further $19.37 million in 2020, and a significant $4,587,567.60 in 2025. These charges were not simply fees; they constituted a substantial and growing revenue stream for the embassy.
Specifically, the audit identified irregularities in payment processing, including the unauthorized use of Square payments, the accumulation of a backlog of 12,721 visa and passport applications between June and August 2025, and a failure to utilize the self-addressed return envelopes, which had been discontinued in 2023.
The report details how the embassy’s own systems were manipulated, with an unauthorized system redirected applicants from the official website to private platforms. This redirection was implemented directly within the website’s source code, showing administrative-level access.
Furthermore, the audit uncovered operational failures, including a backlog of 12,721 visa and passport applications between June and August 2025, directly contributing to delays, complaints, and additional administrative burden for applicants.
The audit’s findings extend to senior officials, including Minister (Consular) Joseph Ngminebayihi (2017-2021) and Ambassador Amidu Mohammed Karande (2021-2025), and Alima Mahama (2021-2024), who oversaw the outsourcing of passport dispatch services to entities linked to the system. The audit identified Fred Kwarteng, an IT Officer, as the key individual involved in the creation and operation of these external platforms.
The audit reports that the system employed the use of official symbols and presentation styles to give the impression of government authorization. The audit also indicated that the system was operated using official accounts and had been working for several years.
The auditors’ recommendations center on the recovery of the $19.37 million illicit funds, as well as the imposition of sanctions on those responsible for the irregularities. The report underscores the critical need for robust internal controls and enhanced oversight to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
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Source: MyJoyOnline
