Minority demands independent probe into South Africa evacuation costs

The Minority in Parliament has called for an independent investigation into the payments made to Ghanaians who were evacuated from South Africa by the Foreign Affairs Ministry. The caucus says an independent probe is necessary to establish the facts surrounding the GH¢49.72 million reportedly spent on evacuating 1,964 Ghanaians between May 27 and September 4, 2026, amid renewed xenophobic attacks. The Minority, during a press conference on Tuesday, October 27, raised concerns about alleged gaps in flight records, inconsistencies in payment registers and duplicate entries in documents relating to the evacuation. “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,” Ranking Member on Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, Samuel Abdulai Jinapor, said. It has also questioned payments for reintegration and transport allowances, arguing that the issues require thorough scrutiny to establish whether there were any financial or administrative irregularities. READ ALSO: Minority demands Ablakwa’s resignation or dismissal over SA evacuation payments The controversy follows the release of documents by the Ministry in response to a Right to Information request, which the Minority says contain discrepancies that require further investigation. Mr Ablakwa has denied allegations of financial impropriety, insisting that the evacuation expenditure is accounted for. He has also called for an independent audit of evacuation exercises undertaken since 2017, including the South Africa operation. The Minority says the investigation must establish accountability and ensure transparency in the management of public funds. It has consequently demanded the immediate resignation of Mr Ablakwa, warning that it will call on President John Dramani Mahama to dismiss him if he fails to step down. The caucus has threatened to initiate a vote of censure against the Minister in Parliament if its demand is not met.