Embassy closure over visa fraud unnecessary – Asafo-Adjei Ayeh slams govt

Deputy Ranking Member of the Parliamentary Foreign Affairs Committee, Nana Asafo-Adjei Ayeh, has condemned the government’s public manner of shutting down Ghana’s embassy in Washington, D.C., following a visa fraud scandal.

He insisted the issue could have been handled discreetly to avoid international embarrassment.

Speaking on Citi Eyewitness News on Monday, May 26, Nana Asafo-Adjei criticised the approach taken by the Foreign Affairs Ministry, arguing that the entire scandal could have been resolved internally without damaging Ghana’s global reputation.

“You do not shut down the entire country because there is a visa problem; that is the point I am making to you. Deal with the matter, but do not shut down the entire country. The embassy over there is an embodiment of the country out there. You cannot shut down the whole country because you have discovered fraudulent matters within the consulate part of your embassy,” he argued.

While commending the government’s efforts to clean up the system, he warned that the public nature of the disclosure is harmful.

“We are not against the decision to clean the system and make sure that things are right and Ghanaians are served well, but what we are saying is that in doing so, do not give us bad publicity. Today, everybody across the country is discussing Ghana. Why? We have shut down our embassy because of visa fraud.

“You think that the Americans will trust us? Or will other countries be comfortable dealing with us?” he questioned.

He further suggested that those involved could have been quietly investigated, apprehended, and brought to Ghana for prosecution, without exposing the entire mission to such scrutiny.

His comments follow Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa’s announcement of the embassy’s closure, describing it as necessary to complete restructuring and root out long-standing fraudulent practices.