Fred Kwarteng denies misconduct at Ghana Embassy in Washington
Former Head of IT at Ghana’s Embassy in Washington, D.C., Mr. Fred Kwarteng, has finally responded to recent accusations of corruption and misconduct, saying the claims against him are false and unfair. In a heartfelt interview on Asempa FM, Mr. Kwarteng said he worked hard to improve embassy operations and made life easier for Ghanaians abroad — not to steal or take advantage of his position.
The controversy surrounding him started after Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa raised red flags about Mr. Kwarteng’s alleged use of the embassy’s official platform to promote and run a private business. This led to a temporary shutdown of the embassy’s operations in Washington, D.C., sparking public debates and media coverage.
But Fred Kwarteng says the public needs to hear his side of the story.
“Let’s focus on the good I did” – Kwarteng pleads
Speaking during the radio interview, Mr. Kwarteng defended his actions and questioned why people are ignoring the benefits of the digital systems he introduced at the embassy.
“Can we look at the good part—the part that people benefited from—and forget about the fact that someone was benefiting from something he had genuinely put together?” he said.
According to him, his innovations made things much easier for passport applicants. Before his system was introduced, people had difficulty communicating with the embassy and tracking their documents. His digital platforms changed that.
“I built a system that improved how people communicated with the embassy. People were able to check the status of their applications easily and received updates. These are facts,” he noted.
“No one ever complained of theft or fraud”
Kwarteng said during his time at the embassy, there were no complaints from the public. He challenged his critics to find one person who said their passport or money was stolen because of his system.
“Tell me, all these years, did anybody go online or on social media to say someone had stolen their money or passport? No—there was no complaint,” he said confidently.
He believes that if his systems were really corrupt, someone would have spoken out before now. But instead, people were satisfied with how smooth the services were, especially compared to the chaos that used to exist.
Clarification on payments and private work
Mr. Kwarteng also addressed the allegations that he made money illegally through the embassy platform. According to him, he was paid by the embassy for his official work as the IT head. However, he admits that he also provided extra services outside his regular duties — but only to private individuals or groups who needed help with communication or delivery processes.
“I was working for the embassy and got paid for those duties. The other solutions I provided were for outsiders who paid me to assist with communication and delivery,” he explained.
He added that these external services were not hidden. The leadership of the embassy, he said, knew what he was doing and did not raise any objections.
“Are we saying that the Heads are not allowed to find solutions to problems? If they had a problem with what I was doing, they would have made me stop,” he stressed.
Ablakwa’s Reaction and Temporary Closure
It will be recalled that Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa ordered a temporary shutdown of the Ghanaian embassy in Washington, D.C. earlier in May 2025, after internal reports pointed to possible financial irregularities and conflicts of interest involving the embassy’s IT systems.
The Ministry said the digital platform being used for embassy transactions had links to a private company, allegedly connected to Kwarteng. They also claimed that funds were not properly accounted for.
This prompted a swift move to pause operations and begin a full investigation. Though services have now resumed, the Ministry says it is still gathering evidence to determine the full scope of the issue.
Public Reaction – Mixed Feelings from Ghanaians
The story has drawn mixed reactions from the Ghanaian public, both at home and abroad. Some people have jumped to Mr. Kwarteng’s defense, praising him for bringing digital efficiency to embassy services that used to be slow and frustrating.
“Let’s be honest — when the guy was in charge, things moved faster. My cousin got her passport in two weeks. Now, everything has gone back to the old ways,” said a Ghanaian living in New Jersey.
Others, however, believe that public office should never be used for private gain, no matter how well the services may appear to run.
“You can’t use government systems to run your personal business. Even if it was efficient, it’s wrong,” a caller on a morning show in Accra said.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs Still Investigating
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has said it will not rush to make conclusions but will allow the investigation to continue. Officials say if wrongdoing is confirmed, the right steps will be taken.
Mr. Ablakwa, who is known for his tough stance on accountability, has promised that no one will be shielded.
“We are committed to transparency and good governance, whether in Accra or in our missions abroad. We will not tolerate any abuse of office,” he told Parliament last week.
Kwarteng Ready to Cooperate
For his part, Fred Kwarteng says he is not afraid of any investigation because his conscience is clear. He says he is ready to provide any documents or explanations that the Ministry may require.
“I am proud of the work I did. I believe I made a difference. Let the investigation continue, and the truth will come out,” he concluded.
Conclusion: The Road Ahead
As the dust settles, this case will likely spark bigger conversations around how Ghana’s embassies are run, how digital platforms should be managed, and how to draw the line between innovation and impropriety.
Whether Fred Kwarteng is eventually vindicated or found guilty, one thing is clear: Ghanaians expect accountability — but they also value results. The coming weeks will determine where the balance lies.