SA evacuation: OSP must punish those who took hotel money while evacuees slept in cars – Fiifi Boafo

Former Head of Public Relations at COCOBOD, Fiifi Boafo, has called on the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) to punish persons found culpable of misapplying funds meant for hotel accommodation during the evacuation of Ghanaians from South Africa.

His comments follow allegations that some officials received money for hotel accommodation for evacuees, although some of the returnees reportedly spent nights in their cars and buses.

The alleged irregularities form part of concerns raised over the GH¢49.7 million spent on evacuating 1,964 Ghanaians from South Africa between May 27 and September 4, 2026.

The OSP has since commenced investigations into alleged corruption and corruption-related offences linked to the exercise.

Reacting to this on Accra-based JoyNews' AM Show on Tuesday, November 10, Mr Boafo said the OSP must go beyond identifying discrepancies and ensure that anyone found to have misapplied public funds faces sanctions.

“[The OSP can go] beyond just reporting or talking about it, and ensuring that persons found guilty are sanctioned for what they have done,” he said.

He argued that unlike the Minority and the media, which can expose alleged wrongdoing and provide information to the public, the OSP has the mandate to pursue accountability through its investigations.

Fifi Boafo said the allegations about payments for accommodation despite some evacuees reportedly sleeping in vehicles had already been brought to public attention through findings presented by the Minority and media reports.

He stressed, however, that the OSP should independently establish the facts and determine the persons responsible rather than simply adopt conclusions reached by other parties.

“The next leg is for persons who did that to be punished, and that is what we expect from the OSP,” he added.