NPP raises red flags over GH¢27m SA evacuation flights, accuses Ablakwa of inflating costs

Ghana’s biggest opposition party is demanding the release of documents covering the evacuation exercise, particularly the original invoices for the flights, to enable public scrutiny of the expenditure.

 Dennis Miracles Aboagye, the NPP Director of Communications, made the demand at a press conference in Accra on Sunday, October 18, insisting that the government must account for the reported cost.

“Publish the original Ethiopia Airlines invoices for all three flights so we can have some proper conversation with the airlines and ask them questions as to how and why it ripped off this country at such a crucial time,” Dennis Miracles Aboagye stated.

The NPP demand comes amid concerns over the management of funds allocated to the evacuation exercise.

NPP alleged that more than GH¢16 million remains unaccounted for.

In the meantime, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has published the names and signatures of Ghanaians evacuated from South Africa, alongside records relating to the payment of reintegration and transportation allowances.

However, the NPP is seeking further documentation on the cost of the charter flights.

Also, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has issued a seven-day deadline to Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa to disclose detailed records of expenditure on the evacuation of Ghanaians from South Africa, threatening to pursue additional action if the documents are not provided.

According to the NPP, they want Ablakwa to release contracts and invoices for chartered flights, payment vouchers, signed payment records and a comprehensive list of all 1,964 evacuees, including evidence of payments made in respect of each individual.

Dennis Miracles Aboagye said the documents should be made available within seven days through the relevant Right to Information (RTI) process and to Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee.

The NPP is also demanding an explanation of the process used to select the charter flight operator, including whether the procurement complied with the Public Procurement Act.

Miracles Aboagye stated, “Produce the complete set of documents within 7 days. Lay before the RTI requisition and Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee every charter invoice and contract, every payment voucher, every signed sheet, and the full list of 1,964 evacuees with proof of payment against each name”.

Meanwhile, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Foreign Affairs Minister, has rejected allegations of corruption in the evacuation of Ghanaians from South Africa.

Ablakwa critiqued the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Minority in Parliament over its analysis of the GH¢49.7 million spent on the evacuation of Ghanaians from South Africa, portraying its findings as “voodoo analysis”.

He insisted that not a Cedi or a pesewa is missing from funds spent on the exercise.

The Foreign Affairs Minister dismissed the Minority in Parliament’s claims that his handling of the operation caused financial loss to the state.

Ablakwa questioned the figures presented by the Minority, arguing that its report contained inconsistencies in the number of evacuees.

Speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile on Saturday, October 17, 2026, Ablakwa stated, “What kind of voodoo analysis is this? If the total number is 247, how come you counted 442 minors? I mean, what’s going on here? What kind of voodoo analysis is this?”

“This is what you use to assail my character, to engage in character assassination, and there are people all over the place saying that I’m running away from accountability. From where?” he said.

“I can state unequivocally without any doubt that not a cedi, not a pesewa is missing”.

Also, Ablakwa challenged the Minority in Parliament to identify a Ghanaian evacuated from South Africa who did not receive the GH¢5,500 allowance.

Ablakwa added, “All of that propaganda out there that some people on the list cannot be found and that some voodoo analysis they have done showed that there’s some money that has not been accounted for”.

“I have been looking for one Ghanaian to step forward and say that when we were evacuated from South Africa, the 5,500 Cedi reintegration allowance I didn’t get it as a Ghanaian. Or the 500 Cedi transportation allowance, I didn’t get it. Have you heard of any one Ghanaian? One,” he said.

“So what is this desperate attempt to create a scandal when there is none? When the whole world is commending that all of that propaganda…” he said.