Minority demands itemised accounts for GHS50m South Africa evacuation, pulls out of closed-door meeting

The Minority Caucus on Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee has declined to attend a closed-door meeting scheduled for September 16, 2026, due to the Foreign Ministry's refusal to provide detailed expenditure records for the evacuation of Ghanaians from South Africa. The Caucus demanded the itemised account and supporting documents under the Right to Information Act, 2019 (Act 989).

The meeting was expected to feature Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, who would brief the Committee on the evacuation exercise. The Minority Caucus had submitted an RTI request on August 17, 2026, which the Ministry received on August 25. They sought comprehensive information on the cost and financing of the evacuation, including expenditure details, funding sources, private partner contributions, transportation, accommodation, medical services, and reintegration payments.

On September 7, the Foreign Affairs Minister announced the evacuation cost was approximately GHS50 million, but the Minority Caucus has not received the supporting records. The Caucus acknowledged supporting the government's decision to evacuate Ghanaians threatened by xenophobic attacks in South Africa but stressed that it does not exempt the government from accounting for public funds spent on the exercise.

The Minority Caucus insisted that the government's obligation to account for public funds is as crucial as supporting the evacuation and will continue to demand transparency and accountability in the use of taxpayers' funds.