The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has formally requested a special audit by the Auditor-General into government-funded emergency evacuation exercises conducted since 2017, including the recent evacuation of Ghanaians from South Africa.
The request, contained in a letter addressed to the Auditor-General, seeks an independent assessment of the financial management and administrative arrangements used during emergency operations organised to protect Ghanaian nationals facing threats or crises outside the country.
Auditor-General to Review Major Evacuation Exercises
According to the Foreign Affairs Ministry, the proposed audit is necessary because emergency evacuation operations are often complex and require rapid arrangements for transportation, accommodation, logistics, consular assistance, medical services and psychosocial support.
The review is expected to cover at least four major evacuation exercises:
- COVID-19 evacuations in 2020
- Ghana’s evacuation from Ukraine in 2022
- Sudan evacuation in 2023
- South Africa evacuation in 2026
The Ministry has also invited the Auditor-General to include any other government-funded evacuation exercises considered relevant to the review.
Audit to Examine Government Spending
The proposed audit is expected to provide an independent assessment of how public funds were utilised during the various emergency evacuation operations.
According to the letter cited by MyJoyOnline, the review will take into account the exceptional circumstances surrounding emergency evacuations and the need for government agencies to act quickly when Ghanaian citizens face danger abroad.
The Ministry has requested a separate assessment of each evacuation exercise, including its total cost, audit findings, observations and recommendations.
The Auditor-General is also expected to identify recurring challenges across the various operations and recommend measures to improve financial controls, planning and emergency response systems.
South Africa Evacuation Under Parliamentary Scrutiny
The request comes amid scrutiny by the Minority in Parliament over expenditure on the recent evacuation of Ghanaians from South Africa following reported xenophobic attacks.
The government has placed the total cost of the South Africa evacuation at approximately GH¢49.72 million, covering flights, ground transportation and other forms of assistance provided to returnees.
The Foreign Affairs Ministry has also responded to an RTI request submitted by Nana Asafo-Adjei Ayeh, Deputy Ranking Member of Parliament’s Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration Committee.
The Ministry provided a detailed report exceeding 200 pages, containing information relating to the evacuation exercise.
However, the proposed special audit will go beyond the South Africa operation by examining government-funded emergency evacuations conducted since 2017.
Ministry Pledges Cooperation with Auditor-General
The Foreign Affairs Ministry has assured the Auditor-General of its full cooperation throughout the review.
It has also pledged to provide the relevant financial records, administrative documents and other information in its possession to facilitate the audit.
The Ministry said the broader review is intended to strengthen transparency, accountability and good governance in the management of emergency evacuation operations.
It is also expected to help improve Ghana’s preparedness and internal controls for future emergencies involving Ghanaians living or travelling abroad.
The proposed audit will therefore place the financial and administrative management of several major overseas evacuation exercises before the Auditor-General for independent examination, with the findings expected to provide lessons for Ghana’s future emergency response planning.
Source: newsthemegh.com