The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Ghana has released a detailed breakdown of the expenses incurred during the evacuation of Ghanaians from South Africa. The total cost of the exercise was GH¢49.72 million. Chartered flights, which were the largest single expenditure item, cost GH¢27.18 million. This amount represents more than half of the total expenditure. The evacuation was carried out between May 27 and September 4, 2026, and involved 1,964 Ghanaians.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs provided the expenditure details in response to a Right to Information (RTI) request by the Minority in Parliament. The documents revealed that, in addition to chartered flights, GH¢9,420,463.68 was spent on flight tickets and layover expenses. This brings the total expenditure on air transportation to over GH¢36.6 million. The government also spent GH¢10.802 million on reintegration and transportation allowances for returnees.
Each evacuee received GH¢5,000 as a reintegration grant and GH¢500 for travel and transportation, totaling GH¢5,500 per person. The payments aimed to help returnees settle in Ghana and provide immediate support after their experiences in South Africa. Other expenses included GH¢997,644 for ground transportation in South Africa, GH¢634,349.99 for feeding, and GH¢141,797.86 for hotel accommodation.
The evacuation exercise also incurred costs for medical services, hospitalization, and communication. Specifically, GH¢20,148 was spent on medical services and hospitalization, while GH¢153,728.09 was used for communication expenses, including airtime, internet data, and the establishment of an evacuation centre. Additionally, GH¢98,151 was spent on printing, and GH¢162,917.76 went into logistics, including sanitation and screening-related items.
The government also covered the costs of repatriating and autopsying two mortal remains, which amounted to GH¢84,274. Miscellaneous expenditure totaled GH¢22,610.84. In addition to financial support, returnees received free medical screening, National Health Insurance registration, SIM cards loaded with airtime and data, and food packages.
The International Organisation for Migration (IOM), the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), and the Red Cross provided psychosocial support, logistics, hot meals, and water. The Church of Pentecost also provided accommodation for affected Ghanaians in Pretoria, Kempton Park, and Johannesburg. The Government of Ghana financed GH¢33,721,786 of the operation, while Engineers and Planners, owned by businessman Ibrahim Mahama, contributed GH¢16 million.
The government has stated that the full evacuation bill has been settled, with no outstanding liabilities. The evacuation commenced on May 27, prioritizing vulnerable groups such as children, sick persons, older people, and women. The final batch of 41 evacuees arrived in Accra on September 4, bringing the operation to an end. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has requested a special audit of government evacuation exercises undertaken from 2017 to date.
Key points
- The total cost of evacuating 1,964 Ghanaians from South Africa was GH¢49.72 million.
- Chartered flights alone cost GH¢27.18 million, the largest single expenditure item.
- The government has settled the full evacuation bill, with no outstanding liabilities.
