Ghana's Embassy in Washington, D.C. has pushed back against what it describes as false and defamatory statements attempting to associate Ambassador Victor Emmanuel Smith with matters arising from a recent forensic audit of the embassy.

In a press release, the embassy said its attention had been drawn to a social media publication by former British High Commissioner to Ghana, Jon Benjamin, alleging that the conduct under review was at its worst under the current Ambassador to the United States.

The embassy called this assertion "wholly without foundation."

Background: the allegations that prompted the rebuttal

The embassy's statement follows a post on X by investigative and anti-corruption journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni, who wrote: "Forensic Audit reveals how Ghana's Embassy in the U.S. extorted $19.3 million from visa and passport applicants." 

Awuni attached to the post an image of the immediate past and first female Ambassador of Ghana to the United States, Hajia Alima Mahama, who served from June 2021 to December 2024.

Jon Benjamin, former British High Commissioner to Ghana, reposted Awuni's claim with his own comment, claiming that per his own investigation, the alleged corrupt acts were rife in London and currently in the US under Ambassador VE Smith.

"The same thing has allegedly been happening for years at the Ghana High Commission in London and was allegedly (according to GHC staff I spoke to) at its worst under the same guy who is now GH Ambassador in the US," he wrote.

It was this repost that prompted the embassy's rebuttal, in which it described the assertion that the conduct under review was "at its worst" under Ambassador Smith as "wholly without foundation."

Ambassador took office after audit period

The embassy said Ambassador Smith assumed office in Washington, D.C. in September 2025, after the period covered by the audit, and that he neither exercised responsibility for, nor had oversight of, the activities under examination.

It noted that in June 2025, a new team of Foreign Service officers was posted to the embassy with a mandate to address longstanding administrative concerns and strengthen internal systems, ahead of Ambassador Smith's arrival.

Track record cited from previous posting

The embassy pointed to Ambassador Smith's earlier tenure as Ghana's High Commissioner to the United Kingdom and Ireland from 2014 to 2017, saying a similar commitment to institutional discipline characterised that posting. Having assumed office there following the introduction of administrative reforms, it said he provided firm leadership in ensuring strict adherence to the new measures.

In Washington, the embassy said, he has "once again distinguished himself by championing accountability, transparency and improved service delivery," adding that these efforts have earned the appreciation of the Ghanaian community and relevant stakeholders throughout the United States.

Embassy defends free expression, but warns against unsubstantiated claims

The embassy said Ambassador Smith remains committed to respecting freedom of expression and legitimate public scrutiny, but stressed that such liberties "must be exercised responsibly and must never become instruments for maligning the character and reputation of others through conjecture, innuendo or unsubstantiated allegations."

It said Ambassador Smith remains "resolute in the discharge of his duties and unwavering in his commitment to serving the Republic of Ghana and its people with honour, dignity, diligence and the highest standards of integrity."