The Minority in Parliament is demanding complete procurement records and supporting documents to independently verify the government’s account of the GH¢49.7 million spent on the evacuation and reintegration of Ghanaians from South Africa.
The call was made by Asafo-Adjei Ayeh, Deputy Ranking Member of Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee and MP for Bosome-Freho, during a press briefing on Thursday, September 10, 2026.
According to him, while the evacuation was carried out under emergency circumstances, the situation did not remove the government’s obligation to account for public funds.
He said emergency conditions could justify the use of exceptional procurement procedures, including emergency or single-source arrangements where permitted by law, but stressed that such processes must still be properly documented.
“Emergency procurement does not mean procurement without records,” Ayeh said, arguing that the government should be able to provide approval trails, supplier details, contracts or booking records, invoices, payment evidence and post-event accountability documents.
He clarified that the Minority was not accusing the government of breaching procurement laws.
“We are therefore not declaring today that any procurement law was breached,” he said. “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.”
Ayeh said releasing the records would help strengthen the government’s explanation if the expenditure was properly incurred.
“If everything was proper, those records should strengthen the minister’s case rather than weaken it,” he added.
The Minority is also seeking an update on the government’s earlier commitment to pursue accountability and compensation for Ghanaians affected by the violence and insecurity in South Africa.
Ayeh questioned the extent of investigations into the incidents, as well as the steps being taken to secure compensation for victims who allegedly lost businesses and properties or suffered other forms of harm.
“The victims must not disappear behind the accounting,” he said.
“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 further asked the government to disclose how many compensation claims had been registered, the value of documented property and business losses, and whether any formal representations had been made to South African authorities.
The Minority also wants information on investigations or prosecutions connected to the incidents and the government’s current plans for compensation or restitution.
The demand follows Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa’s disclosure that the government spent a total of GH¢49,721,786 on evacuating and supporting the reintegration of 1,964 Ghanaians amid renewed xenophobic attacks and heightened insecurity in parts of South Africa.
The evacuation exercise took place between May 27 and September 4, 2026.
A breakdown from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs showed that about GH¢38.84 million was spent on chartered and commercial flights, ground transportation, feeding, hotel accommodation, medical care and hospitalisation.
Another GH¢10.80 million was allocated to reintegration and transportation allowances. Each returnee received GH¢5,000 as a reintegration grant and GH¢500 for travel.
An additional GH¢84,274 was used to repatriate the remains of two Ghanaians.
Of the total expenditure, the government contributed GH¢33.72 million, while Engineers and Planners, owned by businessman Ibrahim Mahama, donated GH¢16 million.
Officials said all expenses had been fully settled and that there were no outstanding liabilities.
The evacuation followed renewed anti-foreigner violence and intimidation targeting African migrants in South Africa.
Ghana was among the first countries to begin repatriating its citizens, with vulnerable groups prioritised during the initial phases. The operation was coordinated through Ghana’s High Commission in Pretoria, with support from the Presidency and national security agencies.
The Minority’s latest demand now shifts attention from the overall cost of the exercise to the procurement processes and documentary evidence behind the expenditure, as Parliament seeks greater clarity on how the public funds were used.
