The Minority Caucus on Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee says it will boycott a closed-door meeting on the evacuation of Ghanaians from South Africa unless the Ministry of Foreign Affairs provides a detailed account of the expenditure involved.
The Committee is scheduled to meet today, Wednesday, September 16, 2026, for the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, to brief members on the evacuation exercise.
In a press statement dated Tuesday, September 15, and signed by the Ranking Member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Samuel A. Jinapor, the Minority said it had formally requested detailed information on the cost and financing of the exercise but is yet to receive the requested documents.
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The Minority stressed that it supported the government’s decision to evacuate Ghanaian nationals whose safety and welfare had been threatened by xenophobic attacks in South Africa.
“The protection of Ghanaian citizens abroad is an important responsibility of the State,” the caucus said, adding that its support for measures taken to secure the safety of Ghanaian nationals had never been in doubt.
However, the Minority argued that support for the evacuation could not remove the government’s obligation to account for the use of public funds.
GH¢50 million expenditure
According to the statement, the Minority submitted a formal Right to Information (RTI) request on August 17, 2026, under the Right to Information Act, 2019 (Act 989).
The request, referenced MP/BF/RTI/2026/007, was received by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on August 25.
The caucus said it requested comprehensive information and supporting records covering the expenditure and financing of the evacuation exercise.
Among the information requested were details of expenditure on flights and other transportation, accommodation, feeding, medical services and reintegration payments.
The Minority also requested information on the sources of funding, the identities and contributions of private partners, as well as procurement and payment records.
The demand follows an announcement by Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa on September 7 that almost GH¢50 million had been spent on the evacuation and reintegration of 1,964 Ghanaians from South Africa.
The Minority said that despite the announcement, the Ministry had not provided the itemised account and supporting documentation requested through the RTI process.
Minority rejects closed-door meeting
The caucus said the absence of the requested expenditure records made it inappropriate for its members to participate in a closed-door meeting concerning the same evacuation exercise.
“In these circumstances, the Minority does not consider it appropriate to participate in a closed-door meeting intended to discuss the same subject matter while its formal request for the underlying expenditure records remains outstanding,” the statement said.
The Minority therefore indicated that its members on the Foreign Affairs Committee would not participate in Wednesday’s meeting unless the Ministry provides the requested itemised account and supporting records.
The caucus further called on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to make full disclosure of the expenditure relating to the evacuation exercise.
It said it would continue to demand transparency and accountability in the use of taxpayers’ funds, stressing that the responsibility was owed not only to Parliament but ultimately to the Ghanaian people.
The development comes as Parliament prepares to scrutinise the government’s handling of the South Africa evacuation, including the reported expenditure associated with bringing 1,964 Ghanaians home and supporting their reintegration.