Minority Gives Ablakwa Resignation Ultimatum Over South Africa Evacuation Funds
The Minority in Parliament is demanding the resignation of Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa over allegations that some Ghanaians evacuated from South Africa received less than the government’s announced GH¢5,500 support package. The caucus says President John Dramani Mahama should dismiss the minister if he refuses to step down.
By Boakye Stephen, Kumasi, Ghana | Reporting for Ghanaian News Canada
The demand was announced on Tuesday, October 27, by Samuel Abdulai Jinapor, Ranking Member of Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, during a press conference at Parliament.
Mr Jinapor also called for an independent audit of the evacuation exercise by an internationally reputable accounting firm to determine whether the payments were properly administered.
He argued that the minister should accept responsibility for the controversy, citing Section 2.1(j) of President Mahama’s 2025 Code of Conduct and Ethics for Political Appointees. According to Mr Jinapor, the provision requires resignation where a political appointee’s conduct or leadership results in significant failure, corruption or a breach of public trust.
The Minority further invoked Article 81(a) of the 1992 Constitution in urging the President to terminate Mr Ablakwa’s appointment if he declines to resign.
The controversy follows reports that at least three people contacted from the evacuation list claimed they received GH¢2,000 rather than the GH¢5,500 publicly announced by the government.
However, Mr Ablakwa has rejected the allegations. He maintains that every person on the evacuation list, including minors, received the full package, comprising GH¢5,000 for reintegration and GH¢500 for transportation.
Speaking to members of the Ghanaian community in Ottawa, Canada, during an official working visit, the minister said his ministry had not received complaints about payment shortfalls since the evacuation exercise began more than four months ago.
He also said no concerns had been raised at the airport about missing envelopes or payments below the announced amount.
The competing accounts have intensified calls for greater transparency regarding the disbursement of public funds used to support Ghanaians returning from South Africa.
COMMENTARY
The dispute should be resolved through verifiable records rather than political accusations alone. An independent audit could establish what each eligible evacuee was entitled to receive and what was actually paid. If the government’s figures are accurate, transparent evidence should help clear the minister’s name; if discrepancies are established, the responsible officials should be held accountable. Public confidence depends on both financial transparency and fair investigation.
