Ablakwa details GH¢49.7m SA evacuation spending, rejects Minority’s claims of unaccounted funds [Video]

Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has defended the GH¢49.72 million spent to evacuate Ghanaians from South Africa, rejecting Minority claims of unaccounted funds. In a live presentation on JoyNews Newsfile, Ablakwa outlined the operation's funding, flight arrangements, and allowance payments, supported by documents including passenger lists, airline receipts, and payment acknowledgement sheets.

Between 27 May and 4 September 2026, 1,964 Ghanaians were evacuated, with each individual receiving GH¢5,000 for reintegration and GH¢500 for transport. The minister stated that the total expenditure amounted to GH¢49,721,786, with GH¢33,721,786 coming from the government and a GH¢16 million donation from Engineers and Planners.

Ablakwa disputed the Minority's claims of unaccounted funds, saying the ministry voluntarily accounted for the exercise on 7 September, three days after its completion. The expenditure breakdown included GH¢38,835,512 for chartered flights, tickets, ground transport, feeding, hotel accommodation, medical costs, and the repatriation of two bodies.

Commercial flights carried 1,008 evacuees, while chartered flights brought home 956 individuals. The minister challenged the Minority's assessment of allowance payments, asserting that all 1,964 returnees received both payments, and providing photographic evidence of the acknowledgment sheets. He also denied suggestions that the company's contribution was concealed and highlighted the government's decision to decline a separate GH¢20 million offer from MTN.

The minister called for an independent audit of evacuation exercises since 2017, including the South Africa evacuation, to assess the ministry's systems for planning, funding, and accounting for emergency evacuations.