The Minority in Parliament is demanding a full documentary account of the GH¢49.7 million spent by the government to evacuate Ghanaians from South Africa, saying the figures disclosed by the Foreign Affairs Minister must be independently verifiable.
Deputy Ranking Member on Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, Nana Asafo Adjei Ayeh, said the Minority’s concern was not about the identities or private details of the returnees, but about obtaining records that can establish how public funds were used.
“Nobody is asking government to publish passport, medical diagnosis, bank account numbers or other unnecessary private information. We are asking for enough documentary information to verify the public account,” he said.
He was speaking to the media on Thursday, September 10, 2026, following a briefing by Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa on the completed evacuation exercise.
Ablakwa disclosed on September 7 that government spent GH¢49,721,786 to bring 1,964 Ghanaians home between May 27 and September 4, 2026. The expenditure covered flights, transportation, accommodation, feeding, medical care, reintegration and other related costs.
Mr. Asafo Adjei Ayeh said the Minority had already filed a Right to Information request seeking details of the expenditure, including supporting records and information on contributions towards the exercise. The request also covers flight details, contracts and payment records.
He said the government’s disclosure of the total amount was welcome but did not remove the need for supporting documentation.
“If the books are closed, then let’s open the books. Let the travel ledger reconcile with the payment ledger. Let the first phase manifest reconcile with the final first phase number. Let every commercial batch reconcile with the ticket and invoice,” he said.
He added, “We do not need accusations where documents can provide answers. We do not need speculation where accounts can be established.”
The Minority has maintained that it supported the evacuation of Ghanaians whose safety was at risk but wants the financial details made available to Parliament and the public.
The evacuation followed a resurgence of xenophobic attacks and intimidation against African nationals in South Africa, particularly in parts of KwaZulu-Natal.
According to Ablakwa, anti-foreigner sentiment intensified from April 2026, with vigilante groups targeting African nationals and some Ghanaians losing property and assets. Four Ghanaians were also killed between April and July during the renewed violence.
The government subsequently organised chartered and commercial flights to bring affected Ghanaians home, with the first flight on May 27 prioritising vulnerable groups, including children, the sick, older persons and women.
Ablakwa said the GH¢49,721,786 expenditure included GH¢38,835,512 for flights, transportation, feeding, accommodation and medical-related costs, while GH¢10.802 million went towards reintegration and transportation allowances.
Government also said the evacuation had been fully settled with no outstanding liabilities.
