The Minority Caucus on Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs says it will not participate in a closed-door meeting of the Committee scheduled for Wednesday, September 16 at which the Minister for Foreign Affairs was expected to brief members on the evacuation of Ghanaian nationals from South Africa.
In a statement, the Minority said its boycott would stand unless and until the Ministry of Foreign Affairs provides an itemized account and supporting records of expenditure on the evacuation exercise.
The Caucus stated that it had, from the outset, supported the Government’s decision to evacuate Ghanaian citizens whose safety had been threatened by xenophobic attacks in South Africa, describing the protection of citizens abroad as an important responsibility of the State.
It said that support, however, does not remove Government’s obligation to account fully and transparently for the expenditure of public funds.
The statement said that on 17th August 2026, the Minority submitted a formal request under the Right to Information Act, 2019 (Act 989), with reference number MP/BF/RTI/2026/007, seeking comprehensive information and supporting records on the cost and financing of the evacuation, which the Minister had said was funded by the Government of Ghana and “Ghanaian partners.”
The Ministry received the request on 25th August 2026.
According to the Minority, the information sought included detailed expenditure on the evacuation, the sources of funding, the identities and contributions of private partners, and costs relating to flights and other transportation, accommodation, feeding, medical services and reintegration payments, along with the relevant procurement and payment records.
The Caucus noted that on 7th September 2026, the Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, announced that almost GH¢50 million had been spent on the evacuation and reintegration of 1,964 Ghanaians.
It said, however, that the Ministry has yet to furnish it with the itemized account and supporting documentation requested under the Right to Information Act to enable Parliament and the public to ascertain how the funds were actually expended.
The Minority maintained that the expenditure of public funds carries with it a corresponding duty of accountability, and that Government must be prepared to account not only for the total amount spent but also for how the expenditure was incurred.
The Caucus said it would therefore not participate in the closed-door meeting until the outstanding records are provided.