By Francis Kobena Tandoh
The Ghanaian government spent GH¢49,721,786 to evacuate 1,964 Ghanaians from South Africa following xenophobic attacks and deteriorating security conditions, Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa disclosed on Monday.
The evacuation exercise, which ran from May 27 to September 4, 2026, involved chartered and commercial flights, accommodation, feeding, ground transportation and medical care.
According to the Minister, GH¢38.84 million went into flights, transportation, accommodation, feeding and medical/hospitalisation costs while GH¢10.8 million was spent on reintegration and transportation allowances.
A total of GH¢84,274 was used to repatriate the remains of two Ghanaians who died during the crisis. Each evacuee received GH¢5,000 as a reintegration grant and GH¢500 for transportation.
According to the Foreign Minister, the government funded GH¢33.72 million of the total cost, while Engineers and Planners, owned by businessman Ibrahim Mahama, contributed GH¢16 million.
Ablakwa said the entire cost has been settled, with no outstanding liabilities, and defended the evacuation as necessary to protect Ghanaian citizens amid the security crisis. Enditem
Source: Ghana Eye Report
