For six years, thousands of visa and passport applicants in Ghana, relying on the Embassy’s Washington operations, believed a straightforward process. They filled out online forms, paid fees, and made payments, unaware of a complex system designed to siphon nearly $19.4 million – a staggering sum that has ignited considerable scrutiny and legal action. An independent forensic audit by the Ghana Auditor-General has revealed a deeply troubling pattern of financial irregularities orchestrated by the Embassy’s operations.
The audit, triggered by a previous escalation of issues involving delays, missing documents, and unclear fee structures, centers on a system built upon website manipulation, external platforms, and a series of strategically placed charges. The core of the problem began with a 2019 redesign of the embassy’s official website, ostensibly to streamline application processes. However, this change inadvertently created a pathway for unauthorized redirection and additional fees.
The audit identified a chain of events that began with the initial fees collected from applicants. These fees, initially around $1.4 million, steadily escalated over the years, culminating in the $19.3 million figure. The Auditor-General has classified this as ‘irregular proceeds,’ a serious accusation.
The initial stages involved a system of redirecting applicants to privately controlled platforms – essentially, a digital ‘backdoor’ – where they were required to pay $29.75 per application for passport returns and visas. This redirection, seemingly innocuous at first, was the crucial catalyst for the subsequent massive losses.
The audit meticulously traces the flow of money through various transactions between 2019 and 2025. It reveals a staggering network of charges, including: $6.9455 million in mailing and dispatch fees, $4.5879 million in application support fees, $1.937 million in extra merchant fees, and a substantial $19.37 million from Fred Kwarteng & STEFRANN LLC between 2019 and 2020. These fees were initially presented as necessary for completing applications, but the audit highlights a significant discrepancy: the funds weren’t being used for official consular services.
The report details how the embassy, in its operational procedures, utilized a system of self-addressed return envelopes, removing a crucial method for applicants to pay for the return of their documents. This resulted in every applicant being compelled to pay a fixed mailing fee, regardless of the actual cost incurred – a cost that increased significantly to nearly $20.
The audit also exposes operational failures. Applicants paid for mailing services, but the embassy accumulated a backlog of 12,721 visa and passport applications between June and August 2025, despite only mailing 4,577. This delay and administrative burden caused considerable frustration and administrative burden for applicants.
Furthermore, the audit reveals significant irregularities in payment processing. The use of Square payments, despite no formal contract, was discovered, adding to the cost for applicants. This constituted a system where applicants were charged more than the official cost of consular services, essentially exploiting a loophole.
The audit report identifies Joseph Ngminebayihi, the embassy’s Minister (Consular) from 2017 to 2021, as a key figure in overseeing these operations. His successor, Amidu Mohammed Karande, from 2021 to 2025, oversaw the continued use of external platforms, including TravelGhana.Net and GhanaPV.org, and the involvement of Alima Mahama, who served as the Ambassador from 2021 to 2024. The audit also points to the roles of Fred Kwarteng and the involvement of the security and IT officer, Alima Mahama, in the scheme.
The audit concluded that these irregularities were enabled by weak internal controls and a failure to adequately oversee the system. The report recommends a recovery of the funds involved from the implicated individuals and officials, emphasizing the need for robust cybersecurity controls and improved governance oversight to prevent future financial misconduct. It suggests that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs should take action to rectify these issues and ensure accountability.
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Source: Adom Online
