Minority Seeks Documents To Account For GH¢49.7m South Africa Evacuation Cost
The Minority in Parliament is calling on the government to provide comprehensive documents accounting for the reported GH¢49.7 million spent on the voluntary evacuation of Ghanaians from South Africa following recent xenophobic attacks.
The demand comes after Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa disclosed on September 7 that 1,964 Ghanaians had been evacuated from South Africa at a total cost of GH¢49,721,786.
The Minority wants the expenditure backed by financial and operational records to allow Parliament and the public to verify how the funds were utilised.
Speaking at a press briefing on Thursday, September 10, Deputy Ranking Member of Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, Nana Asafo Adjei Ayeh, clarified that the Minority was not asking for private details of the evacuees but documents needed to account for public funds.
“Nobody is asking government to publish passport, medical diagnosis, bank account numbers or other unnecessary private information. We are asking for enough documentary information to verify the public account,” he said.
Mr Ayeh said the government’s claim that the evacuation had been completed, all liabilities had been settled and 1,964 people evacuated should be backed by the appropriate documentation.
He called for the passenger records to be matched against ticket purchases, invoices and payments made in connection with the exercise.
“If the books are closed, then let’s open the books. 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,” he said.
According to the Minority, the records would help determine whether the number of evacuees is consistent with the amount reported as spent by the government, as well as establish whether payments to service providers have been properly accounted for.
Mr Ayeh maintained that the request for documentation was aimed at ensuring transparency and accountability rather than making political allegations.
“We do not need accusations where documents can provide answers. We do not need speculation where accounts can be established,” he said.
The government has described the exercise as a voluntary evacuation carried out to support Ghanaians affected by renewed xenophobic attacks in South Africa.
The Minority is therefore insisting that the GH¢49.7 million expenditure be supported by records that can be examined and scrutinised by Parliament.
