Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Foreign Affairs Minister, has rejected allegations of corruption in the evacuation of Ghanaians from South Africa.
Ablakwa critiqued the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Minority in Parliament over its analysis of the GH¢49.7 million spent on the evacuation of Ghanaians from South Africa, portraying its findings as “voodoo analysis”.
He insisted that not a Cedi or a pesewa is missing from funds spent on the exercise.
The Foreign Affairs Minister dismissed the Minority in Parliament’s claims that his handling of the operation caused financial loss to the state.
Ablakwa questioned the figures presented by the Minority, arguing that its report contained inconsistencies in the number of evacuees.
Speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile on Saturday, October 17, 2026, Ablakwa stated, “What kind of voodoo analysis is this? If the total number is 247, how come you counted 442 minors? I mean, what’s going on here? What kind of voodoo analysis is this?”
“This is what you use to assail my character, to engage in character assassination, and there are people all over the place saying that I’m running away from accountability. From where?” he said.
“I can state unequivocally without any doubt that not a cedi, not a pesewa is missing”.
Also, Ablakwa challenged the Minority in Parliament to identify a Ghanaian evacuated from South Africa who did not receive the GH¢5,500 allowance.
Ablakwa added, “All of that propaganda out there that some people on the list cannot be found and that some voodoo analysis they have done showed that there’s some money that has not been accounted for”.
“I have been looking for one Ghanaian to step forward and say that when we were evacuated from South Africa, the 5,500 Cedi reintegration allowance I didn’t get it as a Ghanaian. Or the 500 Cedi transportation allowance, I didn’t get it. Have you heard of any one Ghanaian? One,” he said.
“So what is this desperate attempt to create a scandal when there is none? When the whole world is commending that all of that propaganda…” he said.
The Foreign Affairs Minister’s comment comes on the back of the Minority demanding an independent audit of the GH¢49.72 million exercise.
The Minority caucus alleged that the Ministry’s expenditure records leave more than GH¢16.4 million requiring further explanation.
The NPP minority raised concerns of alleged discrepancies in reintegration grants, transport allowances and flight records.
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Foreign Affairs Minister, 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.
Also, on September 18, the Ministry submitted a report exceeding 200 pages to the Deputy Ranking Member of Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, Nana Asafo-Adjei Ayeh, following a Right to Information request.
Reports suggest the documents included evacuees’ contact details and signatures.
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