Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Foreign Affairs Minister, has announced a detailed breakdown of the cost involved in the evacuation of 1,964 Ghanaians from South Africa following xenophobic attacks.
Ablakwa disclosed that the total cost of the evacuation exercise amounted to GHS 49,721,786.00, covering chartered flights, ground transportation, feeding, accommodation, medical care, and reintegration support.
The Foreign Affairs Minister disclosed that GH¢38.84 million was spent on chartered flights, tickets, ground transportation, feeding, hotel accommodation in South Africa, as well as medical and hospitalisation requirements.
He added that another GH¢10.8 million was allocated as reintegration and transportation allowances for the returning nationals.
Ablakwa disclosed that each of the 1,964 evacuees received GH¢5,000 as a reintegration grant and GH¢500 for transportation, bringing the total support per person to GH¢5,500.
Also, GH¢84,274 was spent to repatriate the remains of two Ghanaians who lost their lives during the crisis.
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa disclosed that the total amount has been fully settled, with no outstanding liabilities arising from the evacuation, adding that out of the GH¢49.72 million spent, the government financed GH¢33.72 million, while Ibrahim Mahama contributed GH¢16 million towards the exercise.
In related news, the Foreign Affairs Ministry has announced that the government of Ghana has turned down MTN Ghana’s GH¢20 million offer to support Ghanaians affected by xenophobic attacks in South Africa.
According to the Foreign Affairs Ministry, funds have already been secured for their evacuation and reintegration.
The Ministry disclosed that the Government of Ghana had earlier been directly conveyed to the Board Chair and CEO of MTN when they called on the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa (MP) on August 14, 2026.
In a press statement issued on August, 26, 2026 read, “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has become aware of media reports suggesting that MTN Ghana is preparing to donate GHS20million for Ghanaian victims of the recent xenophobic attacks in South Africa.
The media publications seem to attribute the announcement of this intended GHS20million donation to an interview granted by the highly regarded MTN Board Chairman, Dr Ishmael Yamson.
The Government of Ghana commends MTN for the offer; however, we respectfully decline,
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reaffirms that the Mahama Administration has made adequate provision for ongoing evacuations and reintegration of Ghanaians and is therefore unable to accept this offer.
This position of the Government of Ghana had earlier been directly conveyed to the Board Chair and CEO of MTN when they called on the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa (MP) on August 14, 2026.
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