Kay Cudjoe, an associate at the IMANI Centre for Policy and Education, said on JoyNews’ Newsfile that the GH¢49.72 million spent to evacuate 1,964 Ghanaians from South Africa cannot be deemed overpricing solely by comparing the reported charter cost of GH¢27,180,700 to alternative rates.
Speaking on Saturday, October 24 2026, Cudjoe stressed that a careful assessment of the circumstances surrounding the charter arrangements is required before determining whether the expenditure was excessive.
He added that while public comparisons with other charter prices may raise legitimate questions, they are insufficient on their own to establish overpricing. “It is important to establish a very important part of the conversation…the area where we should be most careful is where the reported charter cost of 27,180,700,” he said. “I think public comparisons with alternative charter prices cannot prove overpricing unless we look at the issues concerning aircraft charter.”
The comments come amid ongoing discussions about the cost of the evacuation operation, which involved a total outlay of GH¢49.72 million, including the aircraft charter fee.
