The Minority in Parliament has demanded an independent audit of the government’s evacuation exercise from South Africa amid allegations that some returnees received GH¢2,000 instead of the GH¢5,500 support package announced by the government.
The Minority has also called for the immediate resignation of Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, warning that President John Dramani Mahama should dismiss him if he refuses to step down.
The demands were announced by the Ranking Member of Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, Samuel Abdulai Jinapor, at a press conference in Parliament on Tuesday, October 27.
Mr Jinapor said an internationally reputable accounting firm should be engaged to conduct a comprehensive and independent audit to establish the actual amounts paid to evacuees and determine whether the government’s announced support package was fully delivered.
He argued that the allegations raised serious questions about accountability and the management of the exercise, making an impartial investigation necessary.
“Given the gravity of these revelations and in order to ensure an impartial investigation into the matter, we call on the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Honourable Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, to resign immediately. His handling of this exercise has brought his high office into disrepute,” he said.
The Minority’s position follows reports that at least three people contacted from the evacuation list claimed they received GH¢2,000, rather than the GH¢5,500 announced as support for Ghanaians returning from South Africa.
Mr Jinapor cited Section 2.1(j) of President Mahama’s 2025 Code of Conduct and Ethics for Political Appointees, arguing that the provision requires a minister to resign where their actions or leadership result in significant failure, corruption or a breach of public trust.
He further invoked Article 81(a) of the 1992 Constitution, calling on the President to terminate Mr Ablakwa’s appointment if the minister fails to resign voluntarily.
“The President must demonstrate that the standards he has set for his appointees have consequences when public confidence in their stewardship has been seriously undermined,” he added.
Ablakwa denies payment shortfalls
Mr Ablakwa has rejected the allegations, maintaining that every Ghanaian included on the evacuation list received the full support package announced by the government.
According to the minister, the package consisted of GH¢5,000 in reintegration support and GH¢500 for transportation, bringing the total to GH¢5,500 per evacuee, including minors.
Speaking to members of the Ghanaian community in Ottawa, Canada, during an official working visit, he said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had not received any complaints about payment shortfalls since the evacuation exercise began more than four months ago.
He also maintained that no concerns had been raised at the airport about missing envelopes or payments below the announced amount.
The conflicting accounts have prompted the Minority to demand an independent examination of the payments to establish whether the support package was delivered in full.
The outcome of such an audit could help clarify the discrepancies between the allegations by some returnees and the minister’s insistence that all eligible evacuees received the full amount.
