The Minority in Parliament has called for documentary evidence to support the government’s GH¢49.72 million expenditure on the evacuation of 1,964 Ghanaians from South Africa.
Addressing the media on Thursday, September 10, 2026, Deputy Ranking Member on Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, Nana Asafo Adjei Ayeh, said the Minority wanted the records to enable Parliament and the public to verify the government’s account.
“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.
This follows Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa’s disclosure on September 7 that the evacuation, which ran from May 27 to September 4, cost GH¢49,721,786.
Mr. Asafo Adjei Ayeh said the Minority had already filed a Right to Information request for details of the expenditure and other records relating to the exercise.
He said the figures should be reconciled with the relevant financial and operational documents.
“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.
“We do not need accusations where documents can provide answers. We do not need speculation where accounts can be established,” he added.
The evacuation followed renewed xenophobic attacks and threats against African nationals in South Africa, which affected a number of Ghanaians.
Ablakwa said the government spent GH¢49.72 million on the exercise, including costs related to flights, transportation, accommodation, feeding, medical care and reintegration support.
Government financed GH¢33.72 million of the total cost, while Engineers and Planners contributed GH¢16 million. Each evacuee also received GH¢5,000 as a reintegration grant and GH¢500 for transportation.
The Minority says it supports the evacuation but wants the supporting documents made available to establish transparency and accountability in the use of public funds.
