The Minority in Parliament has called on the government to provide detailed documents to account for the GH¢49.7 million reportedly spent on the voluntary evacuation of Ghanaians from South Africa.
The demand follows an announcement by Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa on September 7 that 1,964 Ghanaians had been evacuated from South Africa at a total cost of GH¢49,721,786.
The Minority says Parliament and the public need access to relevant financial and operational records to determine how the money was spent.
Speaking at a press briefing on Thursday, September 10, Deputy Ranking Member of Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, Nana Asafo Adjei Ayeh, said the request was not aimed at obtaining the private information of the evacuees.
He explained that the Minority was only seeking documents that could help verify the government’s expenditure and confirm the figures presented.
According to him, records on passenger numbers, ticket purchases, invoices and payments should be made available for reconciliation.
He said the government’s claim that the evacuation had been completed, all liabilities had been settled, and 1,964 people had been brought back should be supported by the relevant documentation.
Nana Asafo Adjei stressed that the Minority was not asking for sensitive information such as passport details, medical records or bank account numbers.
He said proper documentation would help establish whether the number of people evacuated matches the amount spent and whether payments to service providers were properly accounted for.
The Minority also rejected suggestions that its demand was intended to fuel political accusations. Nana Asafo Adjei said the documents would allow Parliament to establish the facts rather than rely on speculation.
The Minority is therefore insisting that the GH¢49.7 million expenditure be fully supported by records that can be examined through parliamentary scrutiny.
