The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has announced that it is examining allegations of corruption and corruption-related offenses arising from the government’s expenditure on the evacuation of Ghanaians from South Africa.
The exercise, which ran from May 27 to September 4, 2026, involved the evacuation of 1,964 Ghanaian nationals following xenophobic attacks and threats against foreign nationals.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported an expenditure of GH¢49,721,786 covering chartered flights, commercial tickets, transportation, accommodation, feeding, medical services, and reintegration allowances.
The OSP stated it is reviewing alleged discrepancies between reported expenditures and payment records, including duplicate entries, inadequate supporting documents, and payments recorded against beneficiaries who claim they never received them.
“The examination seeks to establish whether the funds were properly accounted for and disbursed, who received the payments, and whether any public officer or private individual improperly benefited,” a statement issued on Monday,November 9, said.
It added that the investigation focuses strictly on the management of public funds, rather than the government’s humanitarian decision to evacuate its citizens.
“Further information will be disclosed where appropriate. All persons concerned are presumed innocent unless proven guilty,” the OSP noted.
Meanwhile, the Minority in Parliament has threatened to initiate a vote of censure against Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa if he fails to resign over the alleged financial irregularities surrounding the evacuation.
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, the Ranking Member on the Foreign Affairs Committee,Samuel Jinapor, stated that the Minority would consider invoking the parliamentary process under Article 82 of the 1992 Constitution and Order 138 of Parliament’s Standing Orders if the minister remains in office.
“Should the Minister remain in office, the Minority in Parliament will consider initiating the parliamentary process for a vote of censure under Article 82 of the Constitution and Order 138 of the Standing Orders of Parliament against the Minister,” he said.
Jinapor also called on President John Dramani Mahama to terminate Ablakwa’s appointment if he fails to resign.
“If the Minister fails to resign, we call on the President to terminate his appointment in accordance with Article 81(a) of our national Constitution. The President must demonstrate that the standards he sets for his appointees have consequences,” he added.
