COVID-19 evacuation cost Ghana GH¢96.97 million; more than SA exercise – Ablakwa

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has questioned how Ghana spent GH¢96.97 million on the evacuation of citizens during the COVID-19 pandemic under the previous New Patriotic Party (NPP) government, despite most returnees paying for their own travel and quarantine expenses.

The amount exceeds the GH¢49.72 million spent on the recent evacuation of Ghanaians from South Africa by GH¢47.25 million.

Speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile on October 17, 2026, Ablakwa said records at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs showed that the COVID-19 evacuation cost almost twice as much as the South Africa exercise.

He said the figures were being cited for comparison and disclosed that an audit had been initiated to determine how the money was utilised.

“Now, you hear them say that, oh, GH¢49.7 million. I say, dude, this is the highest figure. I just want to place on record, this is just for comparative analysis, that the records available at the Ministry show that the COVID-19 evacuation cost the Ghanaian taxpayer GH¢96.97 million,” he said.

Ablakwa explained that more than 80 per cent of Ghanaians who returned during the pandemic paid for their own air tickets, while government assistance was provided to a limited number of vulnerable citizens who could not afford the cost.

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He added that most returnees also paid for their quarantine, with the government reportedly spending GH¢44 million on quarantine arrangements as part of the overall GH¢96.97 million expenditure.

Ablakwa said he had expected the cost of the COVID-19 evacuation to be lower because most returnees covered their own travel and medical expenses, including COVID-19 tests.

“I was not expecting to see that figure. I thought it would be lower than ours,” he indicated.

He stressed that the audit would help clarify the expenditure, cautioning against making allegations before the process was completed.

“So, I really don't know what went into that GH¢96.9 million. And that is why we have invited an audit,” he stated.

Ablakwa further stated that he would not accuse his predecessor of wrongdoing based solely on the figures, noting that the audit must establish the facts.

“I'm not going to pass any judgment. I'm not going to accuse anybody of engaging in theft,” he said.

The disclosure comes amid calls by the Minority Caucus for an independent audit of the GH¢49.72 million spent on evacuating Ghanaians from South Africa.

MRA/EB

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