Accra:The Minority in Parliament has accused the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of failing to fully account for GHS49.72 million reportedly spent on evacuating Ghanaians from South Africa after xenophobic attacks, highlighting discrepancies of over GHS16.4 million that need further explanation.
According to Ghana Web, the Deputy Ranking Member of Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee, Nana Asafo-Adjei Ayeh, presented findings that revealed inconsistencies in payments and records provided by Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa. These were uncovered after examining documents obtained through a Right to Information request.
The Minority found issues with reintegration grants, transport allowances, flight records, and duplicate payments, raising doubts about whether the reported total of 1,964 evacuees aligns with the expenditure documentation. They have called for an independent audit by a reputable accounting firm to verify the accuracy of these expenditures.
The group noted that while their allegations do not confirm any theft or deliberate inflation of evacuee numbers, they require verification of the records and a response from the Ministry. The evacuation operation occurred from May 27 to September 4, 2026, at a reported cost of GHS49,721,786, including contributions from businessman Ibrahim Mahama's company.
Questions arose over the reconciliation of 824 evacuees with financial records, leaving a gap involving 1,140 evacuees. The Minority estimates GHS6.27 million in payments for these evacuees is not properly documented. They also identified a shortfall in flight records for 791 evacuees, suggesting an unexplained GHS7.18 million in flight-related costs.
Overall, the Minority calculates GHS13.4 million in initial discrepancies, with concerns about duplicate names and blank entries in the records. They have highlighted issues with payments involving minors, estimating a potential exposure of GHS2.431 million for 442 minors listed in the reintegration register.
The total amount the Minority believes requires further scrutiny is GHS16,423,470, representing about 33% of the announced expenditure. They have called for a comprehensive reconciliation of all financial records and payment registers, emphasizing the need for an independent audit by a recognized firm to ensure transparency and accountability.