On September 10, the Minority raised doubts over the GH¢49.7 million spent on evacuating 1,964 people from South Africa to Ghana, citing a discrepancy between its own tally and the number reported by Minister Ablakwa at a September 7 briefing. The Minority also demanded documentary evidence to substantiate the figures.
Speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile on October 17, Ablakwa explained that the required documents were sent from the office of the Chief Director, who attempted to deliver hard copies but could not locate Minority members because Parliament was on recess. To comply with the Right to Information law’s timelines, the ministry emailed an electronic version as instructed.
Ablakwa dismissed the Minority’s questions about sign‑off sheets, noting that toddlers’ signatures were actually parents signing on behalf of children, as the allowances and grants were intended for children. He accused the Minority of political mischief and a lack of understanding, stating, “All of Ghana heard that we are providing allowances and grants to children. You say you didn’t hear that and so you see parents signing for children, and then you are asking why toddlers are able to sign? You could just have reverted to the ministry, but they were in a hurry to go out there for political mischief.”
He added that the sign‑off sheets are only part of the evidence, and the ministry also holds receipts from airlines that flew evacuees, including Egypt Air, Air Tanzania and Ethiopian Airlines. These receipts list passenger numbers and itemise hotel, food and transport costs. Ablakwa highlighted the Air Tanzania receipt for July 29, 2026, which shows 47 passengers and details the number of children on board.
No airline has disputed the passenger numbers or claimed the evacuation was not part of the operation. Ablakwa concluded that the Minority’s concerns are either pure mischief or a remarkable lack of understanding of the documents presented.
