You think GH¢5,000 can reintegrate evacuee who left restaurant, boutique, barbershop in South Africa – Minority slams govtw

The Minority in Parliament has argued that the GH¢5,000 reintegration support provided to Ghanaians evacuated from South Africa is inadequate to help them resettle and rebuild their livelihoods in Ghana.

According to the Minority, evacuees who lost businesses and sources of income in South Africa will struggle to restart their lives with GH¢5,000.

Addressing the press on Thursday, September 10, the Deputy Ranking Member on Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee, Nana Asafo Adjei Ayeh, said the level of support should reflect the circumstances of Ghanaians who were forced to return home following xenophobic attacks in South Africa.

He questioned whether GH¢5,000 could meaningfully help affected persons restart their businesses and livelihoods in Ghana.

“If somebody owned a restaurant, a boutique, a barbershop in South Africa and because of the xenophobic attacks he’s brought back home, you think GH¢5,000 reintegration is reintegration?”

Nana Asafo Adjei Ayeh said the GH¢20 million support offered by MTN Ghana could have provided additional assistance to the affected Ghanaians if it had been accepted by the government.

The Minority has questioned why the government rejected the offer, particularly at a time when evacuees required support to rebuild their livelihoods after returning to Ghana.

Mr Ayeh also questioned whether the 1,964 Ghanaians evacuated from South Africa were consulted before the offer was rejected.

The comments form part of the Minority's broader demand for clarity on the government's handling of the evacuation exercise, including the expenditure incurred and the support provided to returnees.