NPP plans nationwide protest over South Africa evacuation spending

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has announced a nationwide demonstration, dubbed “Yɛgye yɛ Sika” (Our Money), scheduled for 3 November 2026. The protest aims to demand the dismissal of Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa and the resignation of the Minister for Youth and Sports.

The calls for accountability stem from controversies regarding the expenditure used to evacuate 1,964 Ghanaians from South Africa, as well as issues surrounding the issuance of diplomatic and service passports. The NPP has specifically questioned the reported costs of chartering aircraft and has called for the publication of original airline invoices, charter contracts, and full passenger manifests to ensure transparency.

In response to the scrutiny, investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni commended the Ministry for its proactive disclosure of certain documents but noted that critical receipts for aircraft rentals have yet to be released. Additionally, academic Dr. Joshua Zaato warned that the successful return of citizens should not serve as a justification to bypass financial scrutiny or close investigations into potential irregularities.