Abu Jinapor: US Embassy Closure An Embarrassment To Ghana

Ranking Member on the Foreign Affairs Committee of Parliament and Member of Parliament for Damongo Constituency, Samuel Abu Jinapor has described the closure of Ghana’s embassy in Washington DC as an “embarrassment to the reputation” of the country’s foreign mission.

The closure followed revelations that a locally recruited IT staff member had created an unauthorized link on the embassy’s website, redirecting visa and passport applicants to a private company where they were charged unapproved fees.

The former Minister for Lands in a statement yesterday, May 29, said the closure lacked proper diplomatic procedure and has damaged Ghana’s reputation internationally adding that, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs should act swiftly to restore Ghana’s image abroad and adopt a more measured approach in managing diplomatic institutions.

“The decision to close the Embassy, and the manner in which it was announced, was not only a rushed, kneejerk and populist action, but, also, an embarrassment to the reputation of our country, with far-reaching adverse implications for our foreign policy, diplomatic relations with other nations, generally, and particularly the United States of America, as well as the welfare of our citizens across the world” part of the statement reads.

Below is Samuel Abu Jinapor’s statement in full:

HON. SAMUEL A. JINAPOR, MP. DAMONGO CONSTITUENCY | RANKING MEMBER, FOREIGN AFFAIRS

For Immediate Release

29th May, 2025

THE CLOSURE AND REOPENING OF GHANA’S EMBASSY IN WASHINGTON DC – A NEEDLESS EMBARRASSMENT TO THE REPUTATION OF THE REPUBLIC OF GHANA

The Minority Caucus on the Foreign Affairs Committee of Parliament learnt with dismay the announcement of the closure of Ghana’s Embassy in Washington DC, United States of America, on the Facebook Page of the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, MP, in the early hours of Monday, 26th May, 2025.

The decision to close the Embassy, and the manner in which it was announced, was not only a rushed, kneejerk and populist action, but, also, an embarrassment to the reputation of our country, with far-reaching adverse implications for our foreign policy, diplomatic relations with other nations, generally, and particularly the United States of America, as well as the welfare of our citizens across the world.

The announcement of the reopening of the Embassy, just after three (3) days of its closure, is evidence that the decision was not well-thought through, diplomatically improper, procedurally defective, and strategically injudicious.

We note that this is not the first time Foreign Service officers or employees of foreign missions have been involved in malfeasance or corrupt practices. When these happen, they are strategically dealt with in a manner that protects the reputation of the State, and the hardworking Foreign Service officers who are not involved in such corrupt practices. In the past, persons found to be involved in such acts have been recalled, investigated and in some cases prosecuted, without making funfair out of it.

This is in no way to justify the actions of the individuals) involved in the alleged criminal conduct. We fully support any action that will lead to a full investigation into the matter and ensure accountability. But in so doing, it is important that we do not resort to kneejerk actions that bring the name of our country into disrepute.

Declaring a foreign mission “closed” on Facebook without any broader engagement through official diplomatic channels not only offends international norms but also risks undermining Ghana’s credibility on the global stage. Today, Ghana has become a butt of jokes in diplomatic circles both within and outside the country.

Ghana and the United States of America have enjoyed longstanding relations, built on shared values, and facilitated by Ghana’s Embassy in Washington DC, which is one of Ghana’s largest missions abroad. More importantly, a significant diplomatic mission like that of Washington DC, provides more than consular services. So, closing the entire mission when the allegation of wrongdoing is said to involve a single non-foreign service individual and possibly others at the consular section of the mission, was needless. What then happens to the other sections of the mission such as security, trade, investment and others?

The sweeping nature of the measures taken by the Minister, including the suspension of all local staff, dissolution of the IT department and immediate recall of foreign service officers, and the manner in which it was communicated, have, regrettably, cast a shadow over the collective integrity of our Foreign Service and its dedicated officers. We are well-informed that Foreign Service officers across our missions are demoralised, as the Minister’s action seeks to call their reputations into disrepute.

We have, also, learnt of plans by the Minister to implement additional measures, including cross-posting of all Foreign Service officers who have served more than two (2) years at their current postings. These measures have enormous fiscal implications for our country, costing several millions of dollars in repatriation costs, travel expenses, relocation allowances and possible compensation for premature termination of assignments. These are not incidental costs, especially when they are incurred outside of normal rotation cycles and without clear contingency planning.

The Republic of Ghana holds a dignified place within the international community as a sovereign and respected State. The management of sensitive national matters must, therefore, reflect this standing, guided by prudence, respect for institutional processes and careful coordination among relevant agencies. Public communication on such matters must be handled with care, as impulsive declarations risk undermining public confidence, straining diplomatic relations and diminishing the Republic’s global reputation.

We call on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the sector Minister to take immediate steps to restore the integrity of our nation and the morale of our assiduous and dutiful Foreign Service officers, while taking valuable lessons from this misstep.

As always, we, the minority Members on the Foreign Affairs Committee of Parliament, remain committed to upholding the integrity of our nation and defending her interests, both at home and abroad, and will continue to hold Government accountable in the prosecution of its foreign policies for the good of our country.

ENDS

SIGNED

HON. SAMUEL A. JINAPOR, MP,

MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR DAMONGO CONSTITUENCY & RANKING MEMBER, FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE OF PARLIAMENT