Minority Declines Closed-Door Meeting on South Africa Evacuation Pending Full Disclosure of Expenditure
The Minority Caucus on Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee has declined to participate in a closed-door meeting on the evacuation of Ghanaians from South Africa, insisting on full disclosure of the expenditure incurred on the exercise.
In a press statement dated September 15, 2026, and signed by Ranking Member Hon. Samuel A. Jinapor, the Minority said it had received notice of the meeting scheduled for Wednesday, September 16, 2026, at which Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa is expected to brief the Committee.
The Minority noted that it supported the government’s decision to evacuate Ghanaian citizens whose safety had been threatened by xenophobic attacks in South Africa. It emphasised that the protection of Ghanaian citizens abroad is an important responsibility of the State.
However, the Caucus stressed that this support does not dispense with the government’s obligation to account fully and transparently for the expenditure of public funds.
On August 17, 2026, the Minority submitted a formal request under the Right to Information Act, 2019 (Act 989), seeking comprehensive information and supporting records on the cost and financing of the evacuation exercise. The request was received by the Ministry on August 25, 2026.
The information sought included detailed expenditure on the evacuation, sources of funding, identities and contributions of private partners, costs of flights and transportation, accommodation, feeding, medical services, reintegration payments, and relevant procurement and payment records.
On September 7, 2026, the Minister announced that almost GH¢50 million had been spent on the evacuation and reintegration of 1,964 Ghanaians. The Ministry has yet to provide the itemised account and supporting documentation requested.
The Minority maintained that the expenditure of public funds carries a corresponding duty of accountability. Government must account not only for the total amount spent but also for how that expenditure was incurred and the basis on which public funds were applied.
In these circumstances, the Minority does not consider it appropriate to participate in a closed-door meeting on the same subject while its formal request for the underlying expenditure records remains outstanding.
Accordingly, the Minority Caucus on the Foreign Affairs Committee will not participate in the closed-door meeting scheduled for September 16, 2026, unless and until the Ministry provides the itemised account and supporting records requested.
The Caucus reiterated its call on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to make full disclosure of the expenditure relating to the evacuation exercise. It said the Minority remains resolute in discharging its constitutional and parliamentary responsibility to demand transparency and accountability in the use of taxpayers’ funds.
