Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has denied allegations of missing funds in the Ghc49.7 million spent on evacuating Ghanaians from South Africa, insisting that all payments are supported by signed records.
Speaking on JoyNews on October 17, 2026, Ablakwa said he had brought original payment sheets covering all 1,964 Ghanaians who received allowances during the evacuation exercise.
“I can state unequivocally without any scintilla of doubt that not a cedi, not a person is missing. I have all the documentation,” he said.
He explained that each evacuee was given Ghc5,000 as a reintegration allowance and Ghc500 for transportation, following instructions from President John Mahama.
According to him, recipients signed separate sheets to confirm receipt of the two payments, with the process conducted openly at the airport in the presence of the media.
“I have come here today with the original sign sheets. All 1,964 Ghanaians who signed for monies received, the allowances,” he said, adding that the records covered about 177 pages.
Ablakwa said the documents contained recipients’ names, signatures, travel identification details, passport numbers and telephone numbers, which could be used to verify the payments.
He challenged the media to randomly contact the beneficiaries to establish whether they received the money.
“I wish that your producers can randomly call the numbers,” he said.
The minister also disputed the Minority’s concerns about discrepancies in the expenditure records, arguing that it had not produced a beneficiary who denied receiving the allowances.
He maintained that the government had been transparent throughout the evacuation and welcomed parliamentary scrutiny of the spending.
“I’m not one opposed to parliamentary oversight or frustrated by it. I rather welcome it. I’m excited about it,” Ablakwa said.
