{
  "id": 6157538,
  "title": "Emergency nature of South Africa evacuation justifies GH¢49.7m cost — International relations expert",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/07/emergency-nature-of-south-africa-evacuation-justifies-gh-49-7m-cost",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-07T18:05:01.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
    "slug": "myjoyonline-ghana",
    "url": "https://www.myjoyonline.com/emergency-nature-of-south-africa-evacuation-justifies-gh%c2%a249-7m-cost-international-relations-expert/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "International relations expert Dr Ishmael Hlovor has defended the government's spending of GH¢49.7 million on evacuating 1,964 Ghanaians from South Africa amid escalating xenophobic attacks. Despite the seemingly large sum, Dr Hlovor argued that the emergency nature of the operation necessitated higher costs for services like flights, which could not be secured at ordinary rates due to the limited time for planning. \"While it may appear as a very large sum, you must also understand that this operation is kind of an emergency operation,\" he told Joy News. The largest expense, GH¢38,835,512, went towards chartered flights, tickets, ground transport, meals, lodging, and medical care in South Africa. Additional GH¢10,802,000 was allocated to reintegration and compensation for evacuees, while GH¢84,274 covered the remains of two Ghanaians who died during the crisis. The Ghanaian government covered GH¢33,721,786 of the total cost, with contributions from businessman Ibrahim Mahama. Dr Hlovor emphasized the importance of considering the expenditure beyond its financial aspect, highlighting Ghana's commitment to protecting its citizens abroad and its readiness to intervene in times of danger.",
  "summary": "International relations expert Dr Ishmael Hlovor has defended the government’s expenditure of GH¢49.7 million on the evacuation of 1,964 Ghanaians from South Africa following renewed xenophobic attacks. According to him, although the amount may appear high, the emergency nature of the operation meant the government could not secure services such as flights at the rates available for planned…",
  "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."
}