SA High Commission admits errors in evacuation records, says future birth dates were passport expiry dates

Ghana’s High Commission in South Africa has acknowledged mistakes in the records of 15 evacuees. The commission explained that dates flagged as potential future birth dates were actually passport expiry dates. This admission followed reports from JoyNews suggesting the government paid reintegration and transportation allowances to individuals with incorrect birth dates.

The High Commission stated the errors were minor clerical mistakes affecting 15 out of 1,964 Ghanaians evacuated from South Africa. Their investigation revealed that the dates originally thought to be birth dates were, in fact, passport expiry dates. The commission admitted officials might have made errors while transcribing passport details due to the urgency surrounding the evacuation of distressed Ghanaians.

Despite these mistakes, the High Commission maintained that all evacuees completed necessary identification, data-processing, and departure procedures before leaving South Africa. The mission clarified that six members of the Jibril family, consisting of a mother and five children, traveled on Emergency Travel Certificates. Corrected information on the 15 individuals was provided in an amended list to update the records.

The High Commission expressed respect for the media's role in promoting transparency and accountability, encouraging verification with official sources when discrepancies arise. They urged the media and the public to rely on the corrected records, emphasizing their pride in saving lives and bringing Ghanaians home safely.