The Minority Caucus on Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee has declined to participate in a closed-door meeting on the evacuation of Ghanaians from South Africa, insisting that the government must first provide detailed records of how funds for the exercise were spent.
The Committee is scheduled to meet the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, to receive a briefing on the evacuation and reintegration exercise.
However, the Minority says it will not take part in the meeting until the Ministry provides an itemised account of the expenditure, together with supporting documents.
In a statement signed by the Ranking Member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Samuel A. Jinapor, the Minority said it had formally requested the information under the Right to Information Act, 2019 (Act 989), but the records had not been provided.
The request, submitted on August 17 and received by the Ministry on August 25, sought information on expenditure, sources of funding, contributions from private partners, transportation, accommodation, feeding, medical services and reintegration payments.
The Minority’s demand follows an announcement by Mr Ablakwa on September 7 that nearly GH¢50 million had been spent on the evacuation and reintegration of 1,964 Ghanaians from South Africa.
The Caucus said it could not properly participate in a closed-door discussion on the matter without first having access to the financial records supporting the reported expenditure.
It has therefore called on the Ministry to disclose the full expenditure and supporting documentation, stressing that taxpayers have a right to know how public funds were used.
“Accordingly, the Minority Caucus on the Foreign Affairs Committee of Parliament will not participate in the closed-door meeting scheduled for Wednesday, 16th September 2026, unless and until the Ministry provides the itemized account and supporting records requested,” the statement said.
