The Ghanaian government has come under scrutiny over the GH¢49.72 million spent on evacuating 1,964 Ghanaians from South Africa following xenophobic attacks. An investigation by JoyNews Research revealed discrepancies in payment records, duplicate names, and expenditure for which supporting receipts were unavailable. The Minority in Parliament has renewed calls for an independent audit of the evacuation expenditure and payment records.
The evacuation exercise, conducted between May 27 and September 4, 2026, was a humanitarian responsibility. However, the controversy surrounding the expenditure raises questions that cannot be settled by political accusations or official assurances. The government has said the exercise cost GH¢49,721,786, comprising GH¢33,721,786 in direct government funding and GH¢16 million contributed by Engineers and Planners.
A group representing the returnees has disputed claims of underpayment, insisting that members received the announced package of GH¢5,500, comprising a GH¢5,000 reintegration allowance and GH¢500 transport allowance. However, some evacuees allegedly received less than the announced package. Ghana’s High Commission in Pretoria has acknowledged clerical errors affecting the recorded dates of birth of 15 evacuees, explaining that passport expiry dates were mistakenly entered as birth dates.
The report revealed discrepancies in payment records, duplicate names, questionable signatures, and expenditure for which supporting receipts were unavailable. These findings deserve serious attention, particularly because public money and the welfare of vulnerable citizens are involved. However, discrepancies in documents are not, on their own, proof of theft or corruption.
There is a precedent for an independent audit in Ghana. In January 2024, the Akufo-Addo administration commissioned KPMG to audit transactions between the Ghana Revenue Authority and Strategic Mobilisation Limited (SML) following public controversy over the contract. The audit produced findings and recommendations that informed subsequent government directives.
The editorial board of The Ghanaian Chronicle has called for a comprehensive audit by a reputable firm, such as KPMG Ghana, Deloitte Ghana, PwC Ghana, or Ernst & Young. The audit must examine the complete expenditure, including flights, accommodation, feeding, transport, medical care, and other logistical costs. It should also reconcile passenger manifests with travel records and compare payment registers with verified beneficiary information.
The demand for accountability must not become a tool for political persecution, just as humanitarian service must not become a shield against scrutiny. Ghanaians deserve answers, not endless accusations. Let an independent audit settle the matter, and let the evidence determine what happens next.
Key points
- The Minority in Parliament is calling for an independent audit of the evacuation expenditure and payment records.
- The evacuation exercise cost GH¢49,721,786, comprising GH¢33,721,786 in direct government funding and GH¢16 million contributed by Engineers and Planners.
- A group representing the returnees has disputed claims of underpayment, insisting that members received the announced package of GH¢5,500.
