Ghana rejects MTN’s GH¢20m support for xenophobia victims

The Ghanaian government has turned down a GH¢20 million ($20 million) offer from MTN Ghana to aid citizens affected by recent xenophobic attacks in South Africa. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the decision in a statement, praising MTN for the gesture but explaining that the government had already allocated sufficient funds for evacuations and reintegration efforts.

The government remained committed to supporting returned citizens and promised to provide a detailed cost breakdown of these operations. MTN Ghana had initially planned to allocate GH¢10 million for returning Nigerians but later expanded the fund to GH¢20 million to assist with their long-term integration. The company acknowledged that it should have consulted the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before making the offer.

The situation follows a surge in xenophobic attacks against African migrants in South Africa, prompting evacuation initiatives. MTN previously assisted Nigerian evacuees with free SIM packs and financial contributions.