[13/10, 15:21] Philomena Kutu Blankson Nat Arthur Foundation/ Sata Radio: *Majority On Foreign Affairs Committee Defends Evacuation Of 164 Ghanaians From South Africa, Dismisses Minority's Missing Funds Claim*
The Majority caucus on Parliament's Select Committee on Foreign Affairs has defended the evacuation of 164 Ghanaian nationals from South Africa, describing it as a laudable humanitarian intervention.
Addressing a press conference, the Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Alfred Oko Vanderpuije, commended President John Dramani Mahama and the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, for what he called decisive leadership and prompt intervention.
He said the evacuation exemplifies the Mahama administration's commitment to safeguarding the lives, welfare and dignity of Ghanaians abroad.
"This laudable humanitarian undertaking which has attracted national recognition exemplifies the Mahama administration's unwavering commitment to save the lives, welfare and dignity of Ghanaians abroad," he said.
"As representatives of the people we take immense pride in the President's exemplary leadership and steadfast dedication to the protection of our compatriots and constituents particularly in moments of great adversity. Indeed, what is leadership if help cannot be guaranteed in times of urgent need?" he added.
The press conference was in response to claims made by the Minority caucus of the Committee at a press conference on October 11, 2026.
The Minority had alleged that substantial sums of public funds expended on the evacuation remain unaccounted for.
Hon. Vanderpuije described the allegations as baseless and said it was a matter of profound regret that such claims were made.
[13/10, 15:21] Philomena Kutu Blankson Nat Arthur Foundation/ Sata Radio: *No Evacuee Has Complained About 5,500 Cedis Allowance; GH¢49.7m Cost Is Prudent - Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman*
The Chairman of Parliament's Select Committee on Foreign Affairs, Hon. Alfred Oko Vanderpuije, says not a single Ghanaian evacuated from South Africa has complained about non-payment of allowances.
According to him, all 164 evacuees received their 5,500 cedis reintegration and transport allowance.
"So far there is not a single Ghanaian evacuated from South Africa who has stepped forward to claim that he or she has not received the 5,500 cedis reintegration and transport allowance," he said at a press conference.
He defended the total cost of the evacuation, which he put at GH¢49,721,786, describing it as a true and accurate reflection of expenditure and a prudent spend.
"Indeed this has been a very prudent expenditure. Knowing the track record of the NPP, they most likely would have spent ten times this in this adventure," he stated.
Hon. Oko Vanderpuije also disclosed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has invited the Auditor-General to conduct an independent audit of all evacuation exercises.
He confirmed receipt of a letter referenced CC/1 dated 17th September, 2026, addressed to the Auditor-General, inviting a comprehensive audit of evacuations undertaken from 2017 onwards.
The audit is to cover the COVID-19 evacuation of 2020, the Ukraine evacuation of 2022, the Sudan evacuation of 2023, the South Africa evacuation of 2026, and any other exercise the Auditor-General deems relevant.
"This demonstrates the Ministry's commitment to transparency and its willingness to submit to independent scrutiny," he said.
"The Majority caucus maintains that accountability must be comprehensive, impartial and consistently applied across successive administrations, rather than selective for partisan expediency," he added.
[13/10, 16:47] Philomena Kutu Blankson Nat Arthur Foundation/ Sata Radio: *1964 HAS BEEN EVACUATED AND THERE IS NO OUTSTANDING -MAJORUTY*
The Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs Hon Alfred Okoe Vanderpuie has reacted to the Minority demands on the Ghanaians who were evacuated from South Africa.
Speaking to the media today in Parliament the Committee chairman Hon Vanderpuie make it clear that the accountability and audit from the minority is neither here or there
He said this remarkable demonstration of administrative intelligence and institutional accountability is deserving of the highest commendation.
The chairman take this opportunity to say that Ghana really appreciates the work of our Minister for Foreign Affairs.
I therefore wish to take this opportunity to commend the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Hon Minister for their exemplary transparency, professionalism, accountability and unwavering commitment of transparency, integrity, and the responsibility stewardship of public resources.
Hon Vanderpuie added that the Hon Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Ministry as a whole deserve the highest commendation for their exemplary sacrifice, competence, compassion and patriotism.
Report filed by PKB
