Manasseh Azure Awuni questions Ghana Embassy's 'welfare account' in US, citing audit report revelations

Awuni alleged on Facebook that the Embassy contracted a private company, owned by its IT Officer, for courier services to visa and passport applicants. He stated that auditors found the IT Officer created websites mimicking the official Embassy site, redirecting applicants to the private company, which charged nearly triple the average mailing fee. The Embassy reportedly discontinued the option for applicants to use their own postage.

Awuni further claimed that after this contract, an 'Embassy of Ghana Welfare Account' was opened with Citibank, with all contributions originating from the same private company. He alleged that funds were periodically withdrawn and distributed among staff, not solely for traditional welfare events. Awuni questioned this arrangement, comparing it to a hypothetical scenario where a road contractor pays into an account shared by Roads Ministry employees.

He also addressed the mention of Kofi Tonto in the report, clarifying that while Tonto received payments, the audit did not directly indict him or link him to the account's creation decisions. Awuni disputed the idea that Tonto's payment was a routine child benefit, citing Citibank's repeated concerns about the account and transactions, and former Foreign Affairs Minister Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey's eventual order for its closure. He highli