The Minority in Parliament has expressed deep concern over the inadequate GH¢5,000 support offered to Ghanaian evacuees following the September 2026 evacuation from South Africa, a situation that has ignited a significant debate within the Ghanaian government and public discourse. The Minority, led by Deputy Ranking Member of Parliament, Nana Asafo Adjei Ayeh, highlights a critical shortfall that threatens the resettlement and rebuilding of livelihoods for those affected, particularly those who lost businesses and income sources in South Africa. The government’s response, according to the Minority, falls woefully short of addressing the urgent needs of these individuals, creating a palpable sense of frustration and abandonment.
The Deputy Ranking Member directly questioned the practicality of a GH¢5,000 sum in helping evacuees restart their lives, emphasizing the disproportionate impact on those who possessed businesses and sources of income in South Africa. ‘If somebody owned a restaurant, a boutique, a barbershop in South Africa and because of the xenophobic attacks he’s brought back home, you think GH¢5,000 reintegration is reintegration?’ he asked, underscoring the perceived lack of sufficient resources to effectively support their transition back to Ghana.
Furthermore, the Minority has raised serious questions regarding the government’s decision to reject MTN Ghana’s GH¢20 million support offer, a figure deemed insufficient to adequately address the needs of the evacuees. Mr. Akufo-Addo’s former legal counsel, providing a deadline of September 11th, suggests that the government’s handling of the evacuation exercise constitutes a betrayal of conscience, with the potential for significant financial repercussions, particularly concerning the ex-gratia payment to Assin Fosu, the family of a kidnapped man, who is demanding a GH¢495K payment in exchange for a GH¢79.7m judgment windfall. This situation is further compounded by the fact that 1,964 Ghanaians evacuated from South Africa were not consulted before the rejection of the support, raising concerns about transparency and fairness.
The issue is part of a broader demand for clarity from the government regarding the expenditure incurred and the extent of the support provided to returnees. The Minority is pushing for a thorough review of the evacuation process, including a detailed audit of the financial commitments and a clear articulation of the support being offered to facilitate a sustainable return for these evacuees. The lack of a robust and readily available mechanism for monitoring and evaluating the impact of these funds is a pressing concern. The government’s initial response to these concerns has been criticized as inadequate and demonstrates a lack of proactive engagement with the affected communities, fueling further anxieties amongst those impacted.
The situation is further complicated by the fact that the government has yet to provide a definitive timeline for the disbursement of the remaining funds, creating further uncertainty for evacuees and hindering their ability to effectively rebuild their lives. The legal proceedings surrounding the judgment and the demands of Assin Fosu exemplify the complexities and potential challenges posed by this complex situation. The focus now shifts to securing adequate and timely assistance for these vulnerable individuals, emphasizing the importance of accountability and transparency in the government’s response to this critical humanitarian crisis.
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Source: Adom Online
