The Minority Caucus in Parliament has rejected an invitation to participate in a closed-door meeting scheduled for Wednesday, September 16, 2026, by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to discuss the evacuation of Ghanaian citizens who were stranded in South Africa.
According to the Minority, the meeting, which is expected to be chaired by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, will not have their participation unless and until the Ministry provides the itemized account and supporting records requested by the Caucus on expenditure related to the evacuation exercise.
In a press statement issued on September 15, 2026, the Minority said that although it supports the government’s decision to evacuate Ghanaian citizens whose safety and welfare were threatened by the xenophobic attacks in South Africa, the government must also render an account to the nation on how public funds were spent.
“The Minority Caucus on the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs has received notice of a closed-door meeting of the Committee scheduled for Wednesday, 16th September 2026, at which the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, is expected to brief the Committee on the evacuation of Ghanaian nationals from South Africa.
“From the outset, the Minority supported Government’s decision to evacuate Ghanaian citizens whose safety and welfare had been threatened by the unfortunate xenophobic attacks in South Africa. The protection of Ghanaian citizens abroad is an important responsibility of the State, and our support for measures taken to secure their safety has never been in doubt.
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“That support, however, cannot dispense with the equally important obligation of Government to account fully and transparently for the expenditure of public funds.
“Accordingly, on 17th August 2026, the Minority Caucus submitted a formal request under the Right to Information Act, 2019 (Act 989), with reference number MP/BF/RTI/2026/007, requesting comprehensive information and supporting records relating to the cost and financing of the evacuation exercise, which the Minister had indicated was funded by the Government of Ghana and ‘Ghanaian partners’. The request was received by the Ministry on 25th August 2026,” the statement said.
The Minority Caucus has consequently called on the Minister for Foreign Affairs to make available the full details of expenditure relating to the evacuation exercise.
The Caucus argued that the information should not be limited to Parliament, insisting that Ghanaians also deserve to know how much was spent and how the funds were utilized.
“The expenditure of public funds carries with it a corresponding duty of accountability. Government must be prepared to account, not only for the total amount spent, but also for how that expenditure was incurred and the basis upon which public funds were applied.
“In these circumstances, the Minority does not consider it appropriate to participate in a closed-door meeting intended to discuss the same subject matter while its formal request for the underlying expenditure records remains outstanding.
“Accordingly, the Minority Caucus on the Foreign Affairs Committee of Parliament will not participate in the closed-door meeting scheduled for Wednesday, 16th September 2026, unless and until the Ministry provides the itemized account and supporting records requested.
“We therefore reiterate our call on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to make full disclosure of the expenditure relating to the evacuation exercise. The Minority will remain resolute in the discharge of its constitutional and parliamentary responsibility to demand transparency and accountability in the use of taxpayers’ funds. That responsibility is owed not only to Parliament, but ultimately to the Ghanaian people whose resources are being expended,” the statement added.
Truly !!! pic.twitter.com/F2dHuHlwmg
— Hon. Frank Annoh-Dompreh (@FAnnohDompreh) September 15, 2026 AM “They Were SHOCKED!” Watch Robbery Suspects React as IGP Plays Their Robbery Videos Source: www.ghanaweb.com