Minority demands receipts for GH¢49.7m South Africa evacuation

The Minority in Parliament has demanded detailed documentary evidence accounting for the government’s reported GH¢49.7 million expenditure on evacuating 1,964 Ghanaians from South Africa following xenophobic attacks.

It wants passenger records, ticket purchases, invoices and payment documents presented for parliamentary scrutiny to establish whether the number of people evacuated corresponds with the money spent.

The reported expenditure works out at approximately GH¢25,300 for each evacuee, although the information provided does not specify how much was spent on airfares or other operational costs.

Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa disclosed on 7 September that the government had spent GH¢49,721,786 on the voluntary evacuation exercise.

The government says the operation assisted Ghanaians affected by renewed xenophobic attacks in South Africa and brought 1,964 people home.

Addressing a press briefing on Thursday, Deputy Ranking Member of Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee Nana Asafo Adjei Ayeh said the Minority was seeking evidence to verify the expenditure, rather than the private information of evacuees.

“Nobody is asking government to publish passport, medical diagnosis, bank account numbers or other unnecessary private information,” he said.

“We are asking for enough documentary information to verify the public account.”

Mr Ayeh said the government’s assertion that the exercise had been completed and all liabilities settled meant the relevant financial and operational records should be available for examination.

“If the books are closed, then let’s open the books,” he said.

“Let the travel ledger reconcile with the payment ledger. Let the first phase manifest reconcile with the final first phase number. Let every commercial batch reconcile with the ticket and invoice.”

The Minority said reconciling the documents would help establish whether the reported passenger numbers matched the tickets purchased and whether payments to service providers had been properly accounted for.

Mr Ayeh said its demand should not be treated as a political accusation, arguing that the release of documentary evidence could settle questions about the expenditure.

“We do not need accusations where documents can provide answers. We do not need speculation where accounts can be established,” he said.

The Minority has not alleged in the material provided that money was stolen or misappropriated. Its stated position is that the GH¢49.7 million expenditure cannot be independently verified without the underlying records.

The government’s response to the request for documents was not included in the information supplied.

It also remains unclear whether the requested records will be submitted to

Parliament, when they could be produced or whether the total expenditure includes accommodation, local transport and other support beyond the cost of flights.