Ghanaian officials dispute South Africa evacuation payment claims

Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has rejected allegations that Ghanaians evacuated from South Africa were underpaid. Responding to reports that some evacuees received GH₵2,000 instead of the promised GH₵5,500, Ablakwa stated that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has received no official complaints in the four months since the exercise began.

The Minister clarified that each of the 1,964 evacuees, including minors, was intended to receive a GH₵5,000 reintegration package and a GH₵500 transportation allowance. He noted that payments were made transparently at the airport in two separate envelopes, with media present to witness the process.

Other officials have also addressed concerns regarding the GH₵49.72 million evacuation operation. Ghana’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Benjamin Quashie, denied claims that evacuees slept in buses, asserting that hotel accommodations were arranged for those traveling from distant provinces. Meanwhile, opposition lawmakers have called for a detailed examination of the expenditure documents to ensure accountability.