Ghana MP: Demands South Africa Evacuation Spending RTI

• Ghanaian MP Nana Asafo-Adjei Ayeh filed a Right to Information (RTI) request for a full financial account of Ghana's South Africa evacuation spending.
• The request targets the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for expenditures incurred since May 2026, following xenophobic attacks.
• The MP seeks detailed breakdowns of costs, funding sources, procurement methods, and supporting documents for the evacuation of over 1,600 Ghanaians.
• This action follows the Ministry's August 13, 2026 statement confirming Ghana had 'fully funded' the evacuation but without disclosing specific costs.
• The request emphasizes public interest and accountability, leveraging Ghana's Right to Information Act to scrutinize government spending on emergency operations.

The request, filed on August 26, 2026, specifically targets expenditures incurred since May 2026, when the evacuation exercise commenced.

A prominent Ghanaian legislator has initiated a formal inquiry into the financial specifics of Ghana's recent evacuation efforts from South Africa, leveraging the nation's Right to Information (RTI) Act. Nana Asafo-Adjei Ayeh, who serves as the Bosome-Freho Member of Parliament and holds the position of Deputy Ranking Member on the Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration Committee, has submitted a comprehensive request to the Ghana Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This action seeks a complete financial accounting of the public funds expended on repatriating Ghanaian nationals following a spate of xenophobic attacks in South Africa.

The impetus for this detailed inquiry stems from an earlier statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on August 13, 2026. In its communication, the Ministry affirmed that Ghana had "fully funded the evacuation of our nationals from South Africa following recent xenophobic attacks," indicating a significant commitment of public resources. According to the Ministry's own figures, more than 1,600 Ghanaians had been successfully evacuated from South Africa since May, with the repatriation process still actively underway. Upon their arrival in Ghana, these evacuees reportedly received various forms of support, including reintegration funds, assistance with transport fares, and other essential relief items.

However, Nana Asafo-Adjei Ayeh contends that despite the government's confirmation of financial involvement, the actual cost of the extensive operation remains undisclosed. He argues that there is no public record detailing the total expenditure, the specific mechanisms through which the funds were disbursed, or the original sources of this funding. This lack of transparency, the MP asserts, leaves both Parliament and the taxpaying public without a proper foundation to evaluate the financial prudence and efficiency of the evacuation exercise.

The RTI request is exceptionally thorough, seeking a granular breakdown of all financial transactions. Nana Asafo-Adjei Ayeh has specifically requested the total amount spent, itemized in both Ghana cedis and US dollars. He demands a detailed account covering expenses related to air charters and commercial flight tickets, ground transportation, accommodation provided in South Africa, costs associated with consular and travel documentation, staff remuneration, reintegration payments made to evacuees, and the procurement of relief items.

Beyond monetary figures, the MP is also pressing for supporting documentation, including invoices, payment vouchers, receipts, contracts, purchase orders, and charter agreements, along with corresponding approvals for all expenditures. Furthermore, the request seeks to identify all funding sources, specifying amounts drawn from the Consolidated Fund, the Contingency Fund, the Ministry’s 2026 budget allocation, any supplementary appropriations, and funds held by the Ghana High Commission in Pretoria. Details regarding contributions from private sources are also sought, including the names of all entities described as “Ghanaian partners,” the value or amount contributed by each, whether contributions were cash or in-kind, and if any partners are eligible for reimbursement or other considerations from the government. The request also includes a demand for a schedule of every evacuation flight, detailing dates, service providers, number of evacuees, costs, and procurement methods employed for each service arrangement, alongside a full account of reintegration support and relief item quantities and costs.

This comprehensive Ghana South Africa evacuation spending RTI request highlights the increasing utilization of the Ghana Right to Information Act as a critical tool for ensuring Ghana public funds accountability. By seeking such detailed financial and procedural disclosures, Nana Asafo-Adjei Ayeh aims to establish a clear public record for an operation that the government itself confirmed was fully funded by the state. The MP firmly believes that his request is in the public interest, given the Ministry's prior public statement regarding government funding for the evacuation.

The meticulous nature of the information sought could set a significant precedent for future demands for transparency in government spending, particularly concerning emergency operations and public procurement. It underscores the growing expectation that public institutions will provide exhaustive accounts of how taxpayer money is utilized, reinforcing the principles of good governance and fiscal responsibility.

This development underscores the increasing use of Ghana's Right to Information Act to scrutinize government spending, particularly for emergency operations. Lawyers advising on public procurement or government accountability should note the detailed financial disclosures being sought, which could set a precedent for future transparency demands and compliance expectations for entities contracting with the government.

Source: Original reporting via Abubakar Ibrahim