Bosome Freho MP demands details of funds spent on South Africa evacuation

The Member of Parliament for Bosome Freho, Nana Asafo-Adjei Ayeh, has filed a formal request under the Right to Information Act, 2019, demanding detailed information on the funds used to evacuate Ghanaians from South Africa. In his request dated August 17, 2026, the MP seeks to know the total cost of the evacuation exercise, the sources of funding, private partners involved, and the payments made to returning Ghanaians.

This comes after the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated on August 13 that Ghana had fully funded the evacuation of over 1,600 nationals from South Africa due to recent xenophobic attacks, emphasizing that the exercise was not seeking financial support from the South African government. However, MP Nana Asafo-Adjei Ayeh challenges the lack of transparency in the Ministry's statement, requesting a detailed breakdown of expenses.

He is asking for a comprehensive list covering air travel costs, ground transportation, accommodation, consular fees, staff salaries, reintegration assistance, and relief items. Additionally, the MP wants to know the origin of the funding, whether it came from the Consolidated Fund, the Ministry's 2026 budget, supplementary appropriations, or the Ghana High Commission's resources, as well as any contributions from private entities.

He is seeking copies of all related documents, such as invoices, approvals, and agreements, to ensure transparency. The MP is particularly interested in identifying the "Ghanaian partners" mentioned by the Ministry and wants to know the nature and value of their contributions, whether in cash or kind, and whether they received any benefits from the government.

He also seeks details on the evacuation flights, including dates, airlines, numbers of evacuees, and costs, as well as the procurement methods used for each flight. Furthermore, the request includes information on reintegration payments and relief items provided to those who returned, such as the amount disbursed, eligibility criteria, and the authorities responsible for approving these payments.

MP Nana Asafo-Adjei Ayeh argues that this information is crucial for the public interest and emphasizes that once the government discloses funding, taxpayers should have access to the financial details supporting its claims.