'Some of us have been coached to speak against government' – SA returnee claims

Leader of the Aggrieved South Africa Evacuees, Micheal Addo, has alleged that some members of the group have received calls and been coached to speak against the government.

This follows controversy over claims that some returnees received less than their approved allowances promised to them by the government.

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Speaking at a press conference on October 26, 2026, the evacuee said that their conscience would not allow them to give false accounts of what happened.

“We are aware that some members of our group have received calls and coaching to speak against the government, but our conscience will not allow us to do so,” the evacuee said.

The individual added that political differences should not prevent the evacuees from stating what they believe to be the facts about the exercise.

“Even if we support the opposition party rather than the government of the day, it is only fair that we state the facts and refuse to allow petty politics to make us liars,” the evacuee added.

The allegation comes amid a dispute over reports that some Ghanaians evacuated from South Africa received GH¢2,000 instead of the approved GH¢5,000 reintegration allowance.

Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has rejected the claims and has stated that his Ministry has not received any complaints about the payments since the evacuation exercise began more than four months ago.

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He has maintained that all 1,000 Ghanaians evacuated, including minors, received the GH¢5,000 reintegration package and a separate GH¢500 transportation allowance.

MAG/VPO

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