NPP MP seeks full disclosure on cost of evacuating Ghanaians from South Africa

Member of Parliament for Bosome-Freho, Nana Asafo-Adjei Ayeh, has filed an RTI request asking the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to provide a breakdown of funds used to evacuate Ghanaians from South Africa. The request follows the Ministry’s statement that the evacuation of more than 1,600 Ghanaians from South Africa since May 2026 was fully funded by the government and “Ghanaian partners”. Ghana self-funded evacuation of 1,600 nationals from South Africa – Foreign Affairs Ministry Nana Asafo-Adjei, who is also the Deputy Ranking Member of Parliament’s Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration Committee, said that he wants the Ministry to disclose the total amount spent on the exercise and how the money was sourced. He has also asked for details of the cost of flights, ground transportation, accommodation, travel documents, reintegration support and relief items. “The total amount expended by the Government of Ghana on the evacuation of Ghanaian nationals from South Africa from May 2026 to the date of this request, stated in Ghana cedis and in United States dollars, together with a breakdown of that total by cost category, including air charter and commercial air tickets, ground transportation and accommodation in South Africa, consular and travel documentation, staff costs, reintegration payments and relief items. “Kindly also provide the supporting expenditure records for these amounts, including invoices, payment vouchers, receipts, contracts, purchase orders, charter agreements and corresponding payment or expenditure approvals,” the request which has been sighted by GhanaWeb demanded. He is also asking the Ministry to identify the “Ghanaian partners” who contributed to the exercise and state what each one provided. Nana Asafo-Adjei added that he wants the Ministry to disclose whether the funds came from the Consolidated Fund, Contingency Fund, its approved 2026 budget or other sources. The MP is further seeking details of every evacuation flight, including the airline or service provider, number of evacuees carried, cost and the procurement method used. “The number of Ghanaians evacuated to date and a schedule of each evacuation flight or rotation undertaken, showing the date, the airline or service provider, whether the flight was chartered or commercial, the number of evacuees carried, and the cost of that flight. For each relevant procurement or service arrangement, kindly state the procurement method used, the contract or reference number, and whether the service was procured through competitive tendering, restricted tendering, single-source procurement or any emergency procurement procedure,” it added. The government began evacuating Ghanaians from South Africa in May following renewed xenophobic attacks. The first phase brought home 926 Ghanaians through three chartered flights, while a second phase began in July using commercial flights. The government has also announced a reintegration package for returnees, including a GH¢5,000 reintegration grant, GH¢500 transport allowance, relief items and other support. Meanwhile, Nana Asafo-Adjei said he expects the Ministry to respond within the period provided under the RTI Act. “Under the RTI Act, the Ministry has 14 days to respond. I’ll share what comes back, whatever it says,” he said. Over 90% of Ghanaians in South Africa demand evacuation amid renewed attacks He said the request was made in the public interest because taxpayers deserve to know how public funds were used. “This money came out of the public purse. The public has the right to know exactly where it went,” he stated. MAG/VPO Ghana will not borrow simply because financing is available – Dr Ato Forson Source: www.ghanaweb.com
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