Afenyo-Markin demands independent audit of South Africa evacuee payments

Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has demanded an independent audit of the payments made to Ghanaians evacuated from South Africa, amid conflicting reports about the financial assistance received by some returnees. During a press conference ahead of the opening of the Third Meeting of the Second Session of the Ninth Parliament, Afenyo-Markin revealed discrepancies between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' claims and the actual amounts received by evacuees.

While the Ministry states that each evacuee received GH¢5,500, some returnees claim to have received only GH¢2,000. The Minority Leader argued that the matter warrants an independent investigation, asserting that the minister in charge should step aside to ensure transparency. Afenyo-Markin rejected claims that his party had paid or influenced the evacuees' allegations, emphasizing that addressing concerns should be done through proper accountability mechanisms rather than targeting those raising issues.

He called for a review of all evacuations since 2017 and the publication of the audit's terms of reference, timeline, and findings. Additionally, Afenyo-Markin questioned the government's implementation of the 24-hour economy policy, specifically its promise to create jobs through a three-shift system. The Minority Leader pledged to demand clarity on the institutions responsible for policy implementation and the number of jobs created.

The Minority also plans to closely examine the 2027 Budget to assess whether it includes firm commitments on employment targets and public-sector job creation. This media engagement precedes the crucial Budget Meeting, where Parliament is expected to conduct key legislative and budgetary tasks, aiming to enhance communication between the legislature and the Ghanaian public.