The Deputy Ranking Member on the Foreign Affairs Committee, Nana Kwame Asafo-Adjei Ayeh, has criticised Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa for prematurely announcing the temporary closure of Ghana’s embassy in Washington, D.C., while investigations into a major corruption scandal are still underway.

Speaking in an interview on Joy FM's Midday News on May 26, he raised concerns about the manner in which the closure and fraud revelations were publicly communicated, especially via social media.

"Investigations are going on. So why do you write on social media? That’s our point," he asked.

"This public declaration, especially by no less a person than the minister, has the potential to severely damage Ghana’s reputation abroad.”

"Have you considered the cost of this so-called temporary closure to the country? Have you thought about the diplomatic consequences?” he asked.

The Foreign Affairs Ministry, led by Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, announced the temporary closure of the Washington embassy effective Monday, May 26, 2025 on social media, as part of what it described as a “comprehensive restructuring and systems overhaul.”

This follows a special audit that uncovered fraudulent activity linked to a local staff member, Fred Kwarteng, who allegedly created an unauthorised payment portal to collect illegal fees from passport applicants.

Fees ranging between $29.75 and $60 were being charged without the approval of Ghana’s Fees and Charges Act, the minister revealed.

Mr Ayeh argued that labelling the embassy as a hub of fraud could undermine confidence among international partners.

“You think stakeholders — like the U.S. government — would be comfortable dealing with an embassy that Ghana’s own minister has declared fraudulent? This is why we insist the minister’s approach was flawed.”

Mr. Ayeh clarified that the Minority is not opposed to the sanctions or disciplinary measures being taken to deal with wrongdoing at the embassy.

However, he said the decision to shut down the entire diplomatic mission, coupled with how it was communicated, raises serious concerns about consultation, diplomacy, and the potential long-term impact on Ghana’s international relations.

“Let me first and foremost place on record that the Minority is not against sanctions or the punishment of wrongdoers — never. But we feel that there should have been more consultation, more diplomacy, and tactfulness in handling this matter,” Mr Ayeh stressed.

“For you to come out and say that because of a fraud allegation, you are closing an entire embassy, which is the embodiment of a country in another land, we disagree. There are ways to uphold standards without shutting down the embassy,” he added.