Foreign Affairs Ministry demands evidence from JoyNews over evacuee grant allegations

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has requested details from JoyNews to support allegations that some Ghanaians evacuated from South Africa received less than the GH¢5,500 in reintegration and transportation allowances announced by the government.

In a letter dated Monday, October 26, 2026, the Ministry asked the media organisation to provide the names and contact details of evacuees who allegedly received reduced payments or whose payment acknowledgement records were in dispute.

The request follows statements made by Isaac Kofi Agyei, described as the Head of Research of JoyNews, during Joy FM’s Newsfile programme on Saturday, October 24.

According to the Ministry, Mr Agyei stated on the programme that he had spoken to three evacuees who received only GH¢2,000 instead of the announced GH¢5,500 package.

The Ministry also cited his allegation that approximately 40 evacuees received the GH¢5,000 reintegration allowance but were not paid the additional GH¢500 transportation allowance.

It further referred to claims that some payments were made without the beneficiaries signing acknowledgement records, although signatures were subsequently associated with their names in the Ministry’s payment records.

The Ministry described the allegations as serious and said they warranted a thorough investigation, noting that they raised concerns about the integrity of the disbursement process and could affect the reputation of the institution and officers responsible for administering the payments.

It maintained that the allowances and reintegration packages had been publicly announced before the evacuation exercise began and that, as of the date of the letter, it had not received any complaints from evacuees about shortfalls in either allowance.

The Ministry said the emergence of the allegations approximately five months after the exercise commenced made clarification and verification necessary.

It also expressed concern that JoyNews had not contacted the Ministry to verify the claims before they were raised publicly.

As part of its request, the Ministry asked JoyNews to provide the identities and contact details of the three evacuees alleged to have received GH¢2,000 instead of GH¢5,500.

It also requested details of the approximately 40 evacuees who allegedly received the reintegration allowance without the transportation component, as well as the names and relevant particulars of those whose payment acknowledgement records were questioned.

The Ministry said the information would enable it to engage the individuals concerned, obtain their accounts, examine payment and acknowledgement records, and investigate the allegations objectively.

It further invited JoyNews to provide any additional details or supporting information in its possession that could assist the inquiry.

Reaffirming its commitment to transparency and accountability, the Ministry said it expected the media organisation to cooperate by providing the requested information and the basis for the allegations to facilitate a thorough investigation based on verifiable facts.