The Minority Caucus on Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee says it will not participate in a closed-door committee meeting scheduled for Wednesday, September 16, 2026, on the evacuation of Ghanaians from South Africa, until the Ministry of Foreign Affairs provides an itemised account of the money spent on the exercise.

In a press statement dated September 15, 2026, the caucus said it had received notice of the meeting, at which Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa is expected to brief the Committee on the evacuation.

Support for the Evacuation, but Not Without Accountability

The Minority said it had backed the evacuation from the outset, describing the protection of Ghanaians abroad as an important responsibility of the State.

"From the outset, the Minority supported Government's decision to evacuate Ghanaian citizens whose safety and welfare had been threatened by the unfortunate xenophobic attacks in South Africa," the statement said, adding that its support for measures to secure their safety "has never been in doubt."

However, it said that support "cannot dispense with the equally important obligation of Government to account fully and transparently for the expenditure of public funds."

The RTI Request

According to the statement, the Minority submitted a formal request on August 17, 2026 under the Right to Information Act, 2019 (Act 989), with reference number MP/BF/RTI/2026/007, seeking comprehensive information and supporting records on the cost and financing of the evacuation. The request was received by the Ministry on August 25, 2026.

The information sought included detailed expenditure on the evacuation, funding sources, the identities and contributions of private partners, spending on flights and other transportation, accommodation, feeding, medical services and reintegration payments, as well as relevant procurement and payment records.

The Caucus noted that on September 7, 2026, the minister announced that almost GH¢50 million had been spent on the evacuation and reintegration of 1,964 Ghanaians. But it said the Ministry has yet to furnish the Minority with the itemised account and supporting documentation requested under the RTI Act, which would enable Parliament and the public to establish how the funds were actually spent.

"The expenditure of public funds carries with it a corresponding duty of accountability. Government must be prepared to account, not only for the total amount spent, but also for how that expenditure was incurred and the basis upon which public funds were applied," the statement said.

The Boycott

The Minority said it did not consider it appropriate to attend a closed-door meeting on the same subject while its formal request for the underlying expenditure records remains outstanding.

"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.

It reiterated its call on the Ministry to make full disclosure of the evacuation expenditure, saying it would remain resolute in discharging its constitutional and parliamentary responsibility to demand transparency and accountability in the use of taxpayers' funds — a responsibility it said was owed "not only to Parliament, but ultimately to the Ghanaian people whose resources are being expended."

The statement was signed by Samuel A. Jinapor, MP for Damongo Constituency and Ranking Member of Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee.