A political row has erupted in Ghana over the government’s reported spending on the evacuation of citizens from South Africa.

Opposition MPs are demanding “full accountability.”

This follows Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa’s statement that Ghana spent GH¢49.7 million, about $4.3 million, to bring home more than 1,900 Ghanaians affected by anti-immigrant unrest.

He said most funds went to chartered flights, tickets, accommodation, feeding, medical care, and local transport.

Opposition politicians appeared unconvinced.

Expense evidence

At a press conference on 10 September, Deputy Ranking Member on Foreign Affairs Nana Asafo-Adjei Ayeh said they support the evacuation but the expenses “must be backed by documents.”

The opposition wants a full breakdown in cedis and dollars, including details of the $1.3 million said to have been contributed by Engineers and Planners, owned by Ibrahim Mahama, brother of President John Mahama.

Asafo-Adjei said Parliament needs passenger manifests, invoices, vouchers, and contracts.

He clarified the opposition is not asking government to publish “unnecessary private information” about evacuees, but only “enough documentary information to verify the public account.”

The row comes a month after South Africa demanded nearly $18 million for repatriating 80,000 foreigners, seeking reimbursement from Nigeria, Malawi and Ethiopia among others.

Ghana was first to evacuate citizens in May after locals accused foreigners of taking jobs, a claim migrants rejected.