Account for GH¢49.7m South Africa evacuation expenditure – Minority tells Ablakwa 

The Minority Caucus in Parliament has demanded detailed procurement and payment records covering the government's GH¢49.72 million expenditure on the evacuation and reintegration of Ghanaians from South Africa.

Deputy Ranking Member of Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee, Nana Asafo-Adjei Ayeh, said the demand is necessary to establish how the funds were spent and ensure accountability for the emergency exercise.

The government evacuated 1,964 Ghanaians from South Africa between May 27 and September 4, 2026, following renewed xenophobic attacks and threats against African nationals.

The Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, disclosed that GH¢38.84 million was spent on chartered flights, air tickets, ground transportation, feeding, accommodation and medical care, while GH¢10.802 million went into reintegration and transport allowances.

A further GH¢84,274 was spent on repatriating the remains of two Ghanaians who died during the crisis.

Speaking at a press conference in Accra on Thursday, September 10, Asafo-Adjei said the emergency nature of the evacuation could justify expedited procurement processes but does not remove the government's obligation to maintain proper records.

“Emergency procurement does not mean procurement without records. There should still be approval trails, a supplier identity, a contract or a booking record, an invoice, evidence of payment, and post-event accountability,” he said.

He said the Minority is therefore seeking documents showing the procurement method used for each major flight and service arrangement, the identities of suppliers and details of payments made.

Asafo-Adjei also called for a complete flight and batch schedule covering the period from May 27 to September 4, including flight dates, airlines, itineraries, passenger numbers and costs.

Beyond the expenditure, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) lawmakers demanded an update on the government's commitment to pursue compensation and accountability for Ghanaians affected by the xenophobic attacks.

He asked the government to disclose the number of claims registered, the value of documented property and business losses, representations made to South African authorities, and the status of investigations and prosecutions.