Some supporters of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) have begun gathering at the Tetteh Quarshie Roundabout for a demonstration to demand accountability from the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa.
The protest, dubbed the “Ye Gye Yen Sika” demonstration, to wit, We want our money, is in connection with funds meant for Ghanaian evacuees from South Africa.
The supporters, clad in party colours and holding placards, have started converging at the roundabout. Police personnel are on the ground to ensure law and order as the demonstrators prepare to move.
According to the organisers, the demonstration is to demand full disclosure on how much was spent on the evacuation exercise and to call for transparency.
The demonstration follows an evacuation by government between May 27 and September 4, 2026, where 1,964 Ghanaians were brought from South Africa following renewed xenophobic attacks and intimidation against foreign nationals.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs put the total cost of the operation at GH¢49,721,786, comprising GH¢33,721,786 in direct government funding and GH¢16 million contributed by Engineers and Planners, a company owned by businessman Ibrahim Mahama.
The expenditure reportedly covered chartered flights, commercial tickets, ground transportation, feeding, accommodation, medical care and a GH¢5,500 support package for each evacuee, comprising GH¢5,000 in reintegration support and GH¢500 for transportation.
The Minority in Parliament, led by Ranking Member on the Foreign Affairs Committee Samuel Abdulai Jinapor, has questioned the expenditure. The caucus says its analysis of a more than 200-page report submitted by the Minister revealed anomalies, including gaps in payment registers, duplicate entries and discrepancies in flight records.
The Minority claims at least three evacuees said they received GH¢2,000 instead of the full GH¢5,500, and says GH¢16.4 million requires further reconciliation. It has demanded an independent audit and called for the Minister’s resignation.
Meanwhile, Ablakwa has rejected claims of wrongdoing, insisting that every evacuee, including minors, received the full amount in two envelopes and that no money is missing. He says no formal complaints were lodged at the airport or at the Ministry and has invited the Auditor-General to conduct a comprehensive audit of evacuation exercises since 2017.
Additional files provided by Kingsley Amakye
