NPP questions Ablakwa’s figures in South Africa evacuation, demands independent audit

The opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) has raised doubts over the figures provided by Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa regarding the evacuation of Ghanaians from South Africa. They demand an independent audit to determine the true cost and number of individuals transported. Rejecting the minister's call for an audit by the Auditor-General, the NPP argues that an independent audit firm should handle the process to ensure transparency.

National Youth Organiser of the NPP, Abanga Fuseini Yakubu, expressed skepticism about the audit process initiated by the minister, stating that it is contradictory to have the same person presiding over the investigation and determining the case. He emphasized that his party seeks a public publication of the audit findings and questions the methodology used to calculate the number of people evacuated.

According to the document released by the Foreign Affairs Ministry, 1,964 people were evacuated to Ghana using three chartered flights, each with a capacity of around 300 passengers. The NPP seeks details about the remaining passengers' transportation and the commercial flights allegedly used, including ticket costs, passenger manifests, seat numbers, and payment vouchers.

They challenge the minister's assertion of 900 passengers and demand documentary evidence to verify the actual number of transported individuals. The NPP maintains that their concerns are not politically motivated, citing JoyNews' investigations into the evacuation arrangements as evidence of the legitimacy of their questions.