Kofi Tonto, a former Head of Information and Public Affairs at Ghana's Embassy in Washington, has denied involvement in an alleged $19 million fraudulent scheme. In a statement, Mr. Tonto said he never received or shared illicit funds.
Kofi Tonto Denies Receiving $800 from Alleged Scheme
Kofi Tonto's denial follows reports that he received $800 from funds linked to the alleged scheme uncovered through a forensic audit conducted by the Ghana Audit Service into the affairs of the embassy between 2017 and 2025. Mr. Tonto said the $800 he received in July 2021 was a legitimate child benefit payment following the birth of his daughter in January 2021. He explained that the payment was part of an established practice at the embassy, where about 28 other staff members had also received similar benefits for various life-changing events.
Mr. Tonto emphasized that he neither solicited the payment nor determined the amount, the receiving bank account, or the source of the funds. He argued that the one-time $800 payment could not be used as a basis to implicate him in the alleged fraudulent scheme involving $19 million.
No Involvement in Financial Management Decisions
Mr. Tonto further clarified that all payments he received during his tenure at the embassy, including compensation, allowances, benefits, and refunds, were made in accordance with established procedures. He said the payments he received between March 2019 and July 2021 were made in good faith and that he was never involved in decisions concerning the financial management of the embassy, particularly the operation or closure of any bank account.
A Distorted Narrative?
Mr. Tonto has consequently urged his family, friends, admirers, and the general public to disregard what he described as a distorted narrative seeking to falsely attribute wrongdoing to him. He maintained that the allegations do not accurately reflect his role or involvement in the affairs of Ghana's Embassy in Washington.
Source: Joy Online
