The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has given Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa seven days to provide documents detailing expenditure on the evacuation of Ghanaians from South Africa, warning of further action if he fails to comply.
Speaking at a press briefing on Sunday, October 18, the NPP’s Communications Director, Dennis Miracles Aboagye, said the party wants copies of charter flight invoices and contracts, payment vouchers, signed payment records, and a complete list of the 1,964 evacuees, with proof of payment for each person.
“Produce the complete set of documents within 7 days. Lay before the RTI requisition and Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee every charter invoice and contract, every payment voucher, every signed sheet, and the full list of 1,964 evacuees with proof of payment against each name,” he said.
The party is also demanding details of how the charter flight operator was selected under the Public Procurement Act, as well as an explanation of the reported GH¢16 million expenditure. It wants the Minister to clarify whether the amount was paid in cash or used for purchases.
Mr Aboagye said the NPP was also seeking clarification on discrepancies in figures relating to ASKY Airlines and different versions of a letter identified as CC/7. The party wants to know which version of the letter was submitted to the Auditor-General.
In addition, the NPP is calling for an independent audit by an internationally recognised firm, with both the terms of reference and the findings made public.
While welcoming the Auditor-General’s review of the expenditure, Mr Aboagye argued that it should not be the only accountability measure.
The party warned that if its demands were not met within seven days, it would support the Minority in Parliament to pursue the matter, including by asking the Minister urgent questions.
It also plans to “formally petition the Auditor-General to prioritise the evacuation expenditure in the special audit and pursue further remedies under the Right to Information Act.”
The NPP said it would continue to demand answers until the relevant documents were released and its concerns addressed.
The party further questioned Mr Ablakwa’s commitment to transparency, arguing that he had previously demanded detailed explanations of public spending from successive governments while in opposition.
It insisted that the same standards should apply to the current administration.
“The 1,964 Ghanaians who fled South Africa suffered enough. They should not now become a headline figure behind which public money cannot be traced,” the party said.
The NPP maintained that releasing the documents would help establish how public funds were spent and restore public confidence in the evacuation arrangements.
The demands follow concerns raised by the party over the reported cost of the chartered flights and the documentation supporting the evacuation expenditure.
