The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has published the names and signatures of Ghanaians evacuated from South Africa, alongside records of reintegration and transportation allowance payments, following Minority concerns over the accountability of more than GH¢16 million in evacuation funds.
Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa stated that the total cost of the evacuation exercise reached GH¢49.72 million. The amount comprised GH¢33.72 million provided by the Government of Ghana and GH¢16 million contributed by Engineers and Planners.
According to the minister, GH¢38.8 million was used to cover flights, accommodation, transportation, medical expenses, feeding and other logistical services, while GH¢10.8 million went towards reintegration and transportation allowances.
Mr Ablakwa maintained that all 1,964 evacuees received GH¢5,000 each as a reintegration allowance and GH¢500 for transportation, including infants. He rejected claims by the Minority that amounts of GH¢16.42 million or GH¢16.30 million remained unaccounted for, describing the figures as inaccurate.
The minister also disputed the Minority’s claims regarding the number of evacuees who arrived on commercial flights and questioned inconsistencies in its figures for minors who allegedly received the allowances. He said the government had provided supporting documents, including passenger manifests, flight tickets, boarding passes, receipts and signed payment records.
Mr Ablakwa explained that publishing the beneficiaries’ names and signatures was intended to demonstrate transparency and accountability in the management of public funds.
The controversy over the South Africa evacuation expenditure continues as the government and the Minority disagree over the financial records and the interpretation of the supporting documents.
Source: newsthemegh.com