Accra:The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has urged the Auditor-General to conduct a special audit of the recent evacuation of Ghanaians from South Africa, citing concerns over the expenditure associated with the operation. The party is advocating for this evacuation to be prioritized over previous ones, including those conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic and other emergencies.
According to Ghana Web, the NPP's Director of Communications, Dennis Miracles Aboagye, voiced the party's support for a formal petition to ensure the Auditor-General focuses on the South Africa evacuation. The party questions the costs associated with chartered flights, reintegration and transportation allowances, and the contributions from the private sector.
The NPP highlighted discrepancies in the financial records provided by the Ministry, particularly regarding the GHS27.18 million reportedly spent on chartered flights. They demand documentation such as invoices, contracts, and details of the operators involved in the evacuation process. Additionally, the party expressed concerns over the GHS5,000 reintegration allowance and GHS500 transportation allowance per evacuee, noting that these figures do not align with the total number of 1,964 evacuees announced by the Ministry.
The NPP is also seeking transparency regarding private-sector contributions, specifically mentioning the involvement of Engineers and Planners. They request a detailed account of how these contributions were utilized. Beyond the Auditor-General's review, the NPP calls for an independent international audit to ensure comprehensive scrutiny of the evacuation expenditures.
In Parliament, the NPP plans to support the Minority in pursuing further inquiries, including parliamentary questions and requests under the Right to Information Act. Their main goal is a thorough documentary reconciliation of the number of evacuees, the expenses incurred, and the flight and payment arrangements related to the South Africa evacuation.