The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has given Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa a seven-day ultimatum to release documents detailing expenditure on the evacuation of Ghanaians from South Africa.
The party says it will pursue further action if the minister fails to provide the requested records within the stipulated period.
The NPP Communications Director, Dennis Miracles Aboagye, made the demands at a press briefing on Sunday, October 18.
Mr. Aboagye said the party wants access to charter flight invoices and contracts, payment vouchers, signed payment records and a complete list of the 1,964 evacuees, including proof of payment for each person.
“Produce the complete set of documents within 7 days. Lay before the RTI requisition and Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee every charter invoice and contract, every payment voucher, every signed sheet, and the full list of 1,964 evacuees with proof of payment against each name,” he said.
Mr Aboagye said the party is also seeking details of how the charter operator was selected under the Public Procurement Act, as well as an explanation of the reported GH¢16 million expenditure, including whether the money was paid in cash or used for purchases.
The NPP further wants clarification on discrepancies in figures relating to ASKY Airlines and different versions of a letter identified as CC/7. It is also demanding to know which version of the letter was submitted to the Auditor-General.
In addition to the documents, the party is calling for an independent audit by an internationally recognised firm, with both the terms of reference and the findings made public.
Mr Aboagye welcomed the Auditor-General’s review of the expenditure but argued that it should not be the only step taken to ensure accountability.
He warned that failure to meet the demands would compel the NPP to support the Minority in Parliament to pursue the matter, including through urgent questions to the minister.
The party also intends to “formally petition the Auditor-General to prioritise the evacuation expenditure in the special audit and pursue further remedies under the Right to Information Act.”
The NPP said it would continue to demand answers until the relevant records and explanations were made available.
It also questioned Mr Ablakwa’s commitment to transparency, arguing that he had previously demanded detailed explanations of public spending from successive governments while in opposition.
According to the party, the same standards of accountability should apply to the current administration.
“The 1,964 Ghanaians who fled South Africa suffered enough. They should not now become a headline figure behind which public money cannot be traced,” the party said.
The NPP maintained that releasing the documents would help establish how public funds were used and address concerns surrounding the cost and management of the evacuation exercise.
