The Minority in Parliament has called on Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa to resign over allegations that some Ghanaians evacuated from South Africa received less than the GH¢5,500 support package announced by the government.
The Minority has also urged President John Dramani Mahama to dismiss the Minister if he refuses to step down.
The demand was made by the Ranking Member of Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, Samuel Abdulai Jinapor, at a press conference in Parliament on Tuesday, October 27, 2026.
Mr Jinapor further called for an independent audit of the evacuation exercise by an internationally reputable accounting firm to establish whether all evacuees received the full amount promised by the government.
“Given the gravity of these revelations and in order to ensure an impartial investigation into the matter, we call on the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Honourable Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, to resign immediately. His handling of this exercise has brought his high office into disrepute,” he said.
He cited Section 2.1(j) of President Mahama’s 2025 Code of Conduct and Ethics for Political Appointees, arguing that the Minister should take responsibility if his leadership has resulted in significant failure, corruption or a breach of public trust.
Mr Jinapor also invoked Article 81(a) of the 1992 Constitution, urging the President to remove Mr Ablakwa from office if he fails to resign.
“The President must demonstrate that the standards he has set for his appointees have consequences when public confidence in their stewardship has been seriously undermined,” he added.
The Minority’s demand follows reports that at least three people contacted from the evacuation list claimed they received GH¢2,000 instead of the GH¢5,500 announced by the government.
However, Mr Ablakwa has denied the allegations, insisting that every Ghanaian on the evacuation list, including minors, received the full package.
According to the Minister, the package comprised GH¢5,000 in reintegration support and GH¢500 for transportation.
Speaking to members of the Ghanaian community in Ottawa, Canada, during an official working visit, Mr Ablakwa said his ministry had received no complaints about payment shortfalls since the evacuation exercise began more than four months ago.
He also maintained that no concerns had been raised at the airport about missing envelopes or payments below the announced amount.
