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.
Meanwhile, the Government of Ghana remains fully committed to current humanitarian evacuations and reintegration financial support for every Ghanaian brought back from harm’s way.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs assures that it will present to the general public a comprehensive account of the total cost of evacuations as soon as the exercise is concluded, in the interest of transparency and accountability.
Government will continue to create the best business ecosystem for all international brands operating in Ghana to succeed, irrespective of which country their businesses originated from.
The welfare of all Ghanaians remains our utmost priority”.
The development follows, Dr Ishmael Yamson, an Economist and Board Chairman of MTN Ghana, has disclosed that the company has committed GH¢20 million to support Ghanaians returning from South Africa following renewed xenophobic attacks.
According to Dr Ishmael Yamson, the intervention is intended to help the returnees rebuild their lives and livelihoods rather than provide only short-term relief.
He disclosed that MTN Ghana initially set aside GH¢10 million to welcome the returnees but doubled the amount after realising that immediate assistance would not be adequate.
Dr Ishmael Yamson disclosed that the GH¢10 million will be combined with the initial allocation to establish a fund to help the returnees restart their lives.
Speaking to Joy News on Thursday, August 20, Dr Ishmael Yamson made this known.
He, however, admitted that MTN Ghana should have engaged the Ministry of Foreign Affairs earlier and expressed regret over the delay in rolling out the support.
Dr Ishmael Yamson stressed that the delay should not be interpreted as a lack of concern for the affected Ghanaians.
He stated, “When the issue broke, I can tell you, the board immediately decided that we will set aside ¢10 million to welcome for as a welcome back.”
“What we then began to decide is that, and many of them, some I understand they were allowed only two suitcases when they are on their return. So how do we create a fund that we will use to help these people to start life all over again?”
He disclosed that the company plans to add another GH¢10 million to create a fund to support the returnees in rebuilding their lives.
“I think the mistake that we made was not to have engaged the Ministry of Foreign Affairs immediately about this.”
“Sometimes when you are big, your internal bureaucracy can also delay a few things. But we have not forgotten. We will do it.” “We’ll do it in a big way. We’ll do it in a way that will make more meaning.”
“For those who did it, Telecel and the others, I really congratulate them. Pentecost Church, I congratulate them.”
See the statement below:
Government of Ghana respectfully declines MTN’s GHS20 million offer for Ghanaian victims of South African xenophobic attacks.
— Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa (@S_OkudzetoAblak) August 26, 2026
The Mahama Administration and local partners have made adequate provision for ongoing evacuations and reintegration financial support.
For God and… pic.twitter.com/jRqrMY6oKY
@ghnow_ Hon Ewurabena Aubynn interact with constituents at the Ablekuma North Town Hall meeting #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – thousand.
