Minority demands procurement records of GH¢49.7m South Africa evacuation cost

The Minority in Parliament has called for the release of complete documentary records and supporting evidence to independently verify the public accounts provided by Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa regarding the evacuation of Ghanaians from South Africa.

Speaking at a press briefing on Thursday, September 10, 2026, Asafo-Adjei Ayeh, Deputy Ranking Member of Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee and MP for Bosome-Freho, said that although the evacuation of Ghanaians from South Africa was an emergency, it did not absolve the government from accountability.

“Urgency may justify exceptional procurement measures. It may justify speed. It may justify emergency or single-source arrangements where the law permits. But emergency procurement does not mean procurement without records.

“...There should still be approval trails, a supplier identity, a contract or booking record, an invoice, evidence of payment, and post-event accountability. We are therefore not declaring today that any procurement law was breached,” he stated.

“We are asking the government to tell the country what procurement method was used for each major flight and service arrangement, who the suppliers are, and what was paid. If everything was proper, those records should strengthen the minister’s case rather than weaken it. The record should answer them. The emergency procurement is still procurement. Nobody disputes that there was an urgent operation,” he added.

Ayeh further questioned the government over its earlier assurance of accountability and compensation for affected citizens, noting that the Minority requires an update on that commitment.

He also pressed for clarity on the kind of investigations being undertaken.

He said: “The victims must not disappear behind the accounting. This exercise did not begin with accounting; it began because Ghanaians feared for their lives and livelihoods in South Africa. Some lost businesses and properties. Some were assaulted. Ghanaian lives were lost.”

He continued: “Government previously said it would pursue compensation and accountability for affected citizens. We therefore also ask for an update on that commitment. How many claims have been registered? What value of properties and business losses have been documented? What formal representation has been made to the South African authorities?

“...What investigations or prosecutions are known to the government? And what is the present pathway to compensation or restitution for affected Ghanaians?” he quizzed.

The request follows the minister’s recent disclosure that the government spent a total of GH¢49,721,786 to evacuate and reintegrate 1,964 Ghanaian nationals amid xenophobic attacks and heightened insecurity in parts of South Africa.

The exercise ran from May 27 to September 4, 2026.

According to the Ministry’s breakdown, approximately GH¢38.84 million covered chartered and commercial flights, ground transportation, feeding, hotel accommodation, medical care and hospitalisation.

A further GH¢10.80 million was allocated to reintegration and transportation allowances, with each returnee receiving GH¢5,000 as a reintegration grant and GH¢500 for travel. A smaller sum of GH¢84,274 was used to repatriate the remains of two Ghanaians.

Of the overall cost, the Government of Ghana contributed GH¢33.72 million, while Engineers and Planners, owned by businessman Ibrahim Mahama, donated GH¢16 million. Officials stated that all costs have been fully settled with no outstanding liabilities.

Meanwhile, the evacuation was launched in response to renewed anti-foreigner violence and intimidation targeting African migrants in South Africa.

Ghana was among the first countries to organise the repatriation of its citizens, prioritising vulnerable groups in the initial phases and coordinating efforts through the High Commission in Pretoria with support from the Presidency and national security agencies.

Watch video of his remarks below.

Minority requests full documentary records and evidence to verify the public accounts made by Foreign Affairs Minister on South Africa evacuation#TV3GH pic.twitter.com/cigHLroqCx

— #TV3GH (@tv3_ghana) September 10, 2026