The Member of Parliament for Bosome-Freho, Nana Asafo-Adjei Ayeh, has initiated a formal Right to Information (RTI) request to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in South Africa, demanding comprehensive disclosure of the total cost associated with the recent evacuation exercise following the xenophobic attacks. This request, filed on August 17, 2026, underscores a critical concern regarding transparency and accountability within the government’s response to the crisis.
According to the MP’s letter, Article 21(1)(f) of the 1992 Constitution and the Right to Information Act, 2019 (Act 989) provide the legal framework for this demand. The MP argues that the Ministry’s assertion that the exercise was fully funded by government and ‘Ghanaian partners’ without securing formal financial or material support from South Africa constitutes a significant lapse in transparency.
The Ministry’s statement, released on August 13, 2026, affirmed that over 1,600 Ghanaians had been evacuated since May 2026, with the ongoing exercise continuing. The statement highlighted that returnees would receive reintegration funds, transport fares, and other relief items upon arrival. However, the MP contends that the statement fails to provide a detailed breakdown of the expenditure, including the total cost, a precise accounting of the funds used, and the identities of the private ‘Ghanaian partners’ involved in the operation.
The MP’s request extends far beyond simply seeking cost figures. He is demanding a complete audit, including detailed invoices, vouchers, receipts, contracts, and approvals for all expenses incurred. Specifically, he is requesting the following information:
* **Total Cost Breakdown:** A detailed breakdown of the total cost in Cedis and Dollars, categorized by expenditure type (air charter, commercial tickets, ground transport, accommodation, consular documentation, staff costs, reintegration payments, and relief items).
* **Funding Sources:** A comprehensive list of all funding sources, including whether funds were drawn from the Consolidated Fund, Contingency Fund, the Ministry’s 2026 budget, supplementary appropriation, funds held by the Ghana High Commission in Pretoria, or private contributions, along with copies of Finance Ministry authorizations.
* **Partnership Identification:** Identification of all ‘Ghanaian partners’ involved, along with their respective roles and contributions to the evacuation exercise.
* **Supporting Documentation:** A request for all supporting documentation, including invoices, vouchers, receipts, contracts, and approvals supporting the expenditure figures.
The MP further highlights the urgent need for this transparency to assess the cost of the evacuation exercise and ensure proper oversight and accountability. He expressed his belief that this information is crucial for assessing the effectiveness of the government’s response and safeguarding public funds. The MP has stated that the lack of this information could have significant implications for parliamentary oversight and public trust, as the public has a right to know the true cost of government programs.
This request comes amidst growing public scrutiny regarding the logistics and financial management of the evacuation exercise, and it represents a key element of the MP’s effort to hold the government accountable.
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Source: Adom Online
