{
  "id": 6150381,
  "title": "Here’s how much Government spent evacuating Ghanaians from South Africa",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/07/heres-how-much-government-spent-evacuating-ghanaians-from-south-africa",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-07T17:09:46.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
    "slug": "myjoyonline-ghana",
    "url": "https://www.myjoyonline.com/heres-how-much-government-spent-evacuating-ghanaians-from-south-africa/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The government of Ghana has revealed that it spent a total of GH¢49,721,786 to evacuate its citizens from South Africa. This sum covered various expenses, including chartered flights, air tickets, ground transportation, meals, hotel stays, medical treatment, and the repatriation of deceased Ghanaians.\n\nA detailed breakdown of the costs showed that GH¢38,835,512 was allocated to flights, tickets, ground transportation, catering, accommodations and medical services in South Africa. An additional GH¢10,802,000 was set aside for reintegration and transportation allowances. The repatriation of two mortal remains consumed GH¢84,274 of the funds.\n\nOut of the overall expenditure, the Ghanaian government contributed GH¢33,721,786. The remaining GH¢16 million was provided by Engineers and Planners, a private company owned by Mr Ibrahim Mahama. The government expressed gratitude to Mahama and his company for their financial support during the evacuation operation and the well-being of the affected Ghanaians.\n\nThis disclosure is part of the government's pledge to maintain transparency and accountability in the handling of such evacuations.",
  "summary": "The total cost of evacuating Ghanaians from South Africa amounted to GH¢49,721,786, the government has disclosed. The expenditure covered chartered flights, air tickets, ground transportation, feeding, hotel accommodation, medical care, and the repatriation of mortal remains. A breakdown of the expenditure showed that GH¢38,835,512 was spent on chartered flights, tickets, ground transportation,…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 7,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
        "title": "Xenophobic attacks: Ghana spent GH¢49.72m evacuating 1,900 citizens from South Africa",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/07/xenophobic-attacks-ghana-spent-gh-49-72m-evacuating-1-900-citizens",
        "published": "2026-09-07T15:38:42.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "3News",
        "title": "Ghana spends GH¢49.7M evacuating 1,964 citizens from South Africa - Ablakwa proposes Diaspora Emergency Fund",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/07/ghana-spends-gh-49-7m-evacuating-1-964-citizens-from-south-africa",
        "published": "2026-09-07T16:45:48.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "IOL",
        "title": "Structural barriers prevent meaningful mental health support in South Africa",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/07/structural-barriers-prevent-meaningful-mental-health-support-in-south",
        "published": "2026-09-07T16:52:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Daily Maverick",
        "title": "El Niño is here: South Africa must pay for prevention now",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/07/el-nino-is-here-south-africa-must-pay-for-prevention-now",
        "published": "2026-09-07T17:00:43.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "GBC Ghana",
        "title": "Xenophobic attacks: Ghana completes evacuation of 1,900 citizens from South Africa",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/07/xenophobic-attacks-ghana-completes-evacuation-of-1-900-citizens-from",
        "published": "2026-09-07T17:15:56.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Adom Online",
        "title": "Government spent GH¢49.7m to evacuate 1,964 Ghanaians from South Africa – Ablakwa",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/07/government-spent-gh-49-7m-to-evacuate-1-964-ghanaians-from-south",
        "published": "2026-09-07T17:20:21.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}