A lecturer at the University of Ghana’s Political Science Department, Charles Amo-Agyemang, has expressed concern that the approach taken by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, in publicly disclosing alleged corrupt practices at the Ghanaian Embassy in Washington DC and its subsequent closure, could potentially tarnish the country’s international image.

Speaking in an exclusive phone interview with GhanaWeb, Amo-Agyemang, an international relations expert, noted that the minister could have handled the issue more appropriately by treating it as a discreet national security matter, rather than making a public announcement.

“When these issues come up with it being in international relations, they are kept as silent national security matters which is dealt with internally. For me, the minister going out on this issue publicly tarnishes the image of Ghana. I’m not saying that we should connive, condone or try to sweep this incident under the carpet but there are internal processes of dealing with these issues since they are seen as national security matters. By going out with this information, it will go a long way in tarnishing the image of Ghana,” the lecturer stated on Tuesday, May 27, 2025.

The academician did not mince words, strongly criticising Ablakwa for what he described as playing to the public gallery, an approach he warned could have long-term repercussions for the country.

Highlighting some of the potential long-term repercussions, he noted that the international community’s perception of Ghanaian diplomats could be negatively affected, as they may now be viewed as corrupt or dishonest due to the actions of Fred Kwarteng, the local IT staff who has since been dismissed.

“Going to the public, the Foreign Affairs minister seems to play to the gallery and the international community will begin to see Ghana from a different image. Diplomats may be seen as dishonest, crooks due to what Fred Kwarteng did and I didn’t expect the minister to go public,” he said.

He continued, “Issues like this occur and recur in diplomatic centers everyday but there are ways of dealing with it and that’s not going public about it. He should have done internal arrangements and if there is any punishment, it should be done.”

Amo-Agyemang cautioned that if foreign nationals were among those employed at the embassy, the situation could potentially trigger a diplomatic response or retaliation from the country.

“Yes there could be a backlash in terms of retaliation. In all these things, the minister could have been more nuanced and careful,” he concluded.

The Ghanaian Embassy in Washington DC has been closed due to allegations of corrupt practices involving embassy staff.

The closure follows revelations from a special audit report commissioned by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa.

MAG/MA

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