Koku Anyidoho calls for Ablakwa’s dismissal over South Africa evacuation allegation

Former Director of Communications at the Office of the late President John Evans Atta Mills, Samuel Koku Anyidoho, has urged President John Dramani Mahama to take decisive action over the alleged evacuation scandal, calling for the dismissal of Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa and Ghana’s High Commissioner to South Africa.

Mr Anyidoho said the controversy had damaged Ghana’s international reputation and insisted that those responsible must be held accountable if investigations establish wrongdoing.

In a post on X, the former presidential aide criticised the handling of the matter and called on Mr Ablakwa to appear before Parliament to address questions surrounding the evacuation exercise.

“Ghana has become a laughing stock because of this evacuation scandal,” Anyidoho wrote.

He also challenged President Mahama to intervene, stating: “The President must stop playing ‘mumu’ on this matter and act decisively.”

Mr Anyidoho argued that the national interest must take precedence over political affiliations, stressing that the government was accountable to all Ghanaians.

“Ghana has not been mortgaged to President Mahama; Ghana belongs to all Ghanaians irrespective of political affiliation,” he stated.

He concluded his message with a direct appeal to the President, saying: “We beg the President to act now!”

Minority flags GH¢16.4 million in discrepancies

Mr Anyidoho’s demand comes amid concerns raised by the Minority in Parliament over alleged discrepancies in financial and operational records relating to the evacuation exercise.

On October 11, the Minority called for an independent audit after its review reportedly identified inconsistencies involving reintegration payments, transportation allowances, flight records and duplicate entries.

The group, led by Deputy Ranking Member of Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee Nana Asafo-Adjei Ayeh, said more than GH¢16.4 million required further explanation.

It maintained that an independent audit would help establish the accuracy of the figures and clarify how funds associated with the evacuation exercise were managed.

Pressure mounts for accountability
The controversy has intensified calls for transparency, with Mr Anyidoho joining those demanding answers from the government over the handling of the evacuation exercise.

He wants Mr Ablakwa to respond to questions in Parliament and has called for the Foreign Affairs Minister and Ghana’s High Commissioner to South Africa to be dismissed.

However, the discrepancies flagged by the Minority and the amount in question remain matters requiring further examination. An independent audit could help establish the facts and determine whether any officials should face sanctions.