Minority boycotts Foreign Affairs Committee meeting on South Africa evacuation over undisclosed expenditure

The Minority Caucus on Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee has declined to participate in a closed-door meeting on the evacuation of Ghanaians from South Africa unless the Ministry of Foreign Affairs provides a detailed breakdown of the funds spent on the exercise.

The meeting, scheduled for Wednesday, September 16, 2026, is expected to feature a briefing by Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa on the evacuation.

In a statement issued on September 15 and signed by the Ranking Member of the Foreign Affairs Committee and Damongo MP, Samuel A. Jinapor, the Minority said it had been notified of the meeting but remained concerned about the Ministry’s failure to respond fully to its request for financial records.

The caucus stressed that it had supported the evacuation from the beginning, particularly because the safety and welfare of Ghanaians had been threatened by xenophobic attacks in South Africa.

“From the outset, the Minority supported Government's decision to evacuate Ghanaian citizens whose safety and welfare had been threatened by the unfortunate xenophobic attacks in South Africa,” the statement said.

It added that although its support for efforts to protect the affected citizens “has never been in doubt,” the government was equally required to account transparently for the use of public funds.

The Minority said it submitted a formal request under the Right to Information Act, 2019 (Act 989), on August 17, 2026, seeking detailed information and supporting documents on the financing and expenditure associated with the evacuation. The request, referenced MP/BF/RTI/2026/007, was received by the Ministry on August 25, 2026.

Among other things, the caucus requested a breakdown of the expenditure, sources of funding, contributions from private partners, flight and transportation costs, accommodation, feeding, medical support and reintegration payments. It also sought relevant procurement and payment records.

The Minority noted that Mr Ablakwa announced on September 7 that nearly GH¢50 million had been spent on evacuating and reintegrating 1,964 Ghanaians.

However, it said the Ministry had not yet supplied the itemised expenditure statement and supporting records needed to enable Parliament and the public to determine how the money was used.

"The expenditure of public funds carries with it a corresponding duty of accountability. Government must be prepared to account, not only for the total amount spent, but also for how that expenditure was incurred and the basis upon which public funds were applied," the statement said.

The caucus therefore argued that attending a closed-door meeting on the evacuation while its request for financial documentation remained unanswered would be inappropriate.

"Accordingly, the Minority Caucus on the Foreign Affairs Committee of Parliament will not participate in the closed-door meeting scheduled for Wednesday, 16th September 2026, unless and until the Ministry provides the itemized account and supporting records requested," the statement said.

The Minority renewed its demand for full disclosure of the evacuation expenses, insisting that it would continue to pursue transparency and accountability in the management of taxpayers’ money.

It said the responsibility to account was owed “not only to Parliament, but ultimately to the Ghanaian people whose resources are being expended.”