Massive Reactions As JoyNews Final Evacuation List Reveals 50 Duplicate Entries

Ghanaians have taken to social media to express mixed reactions following a JoyNews investigation into the South African evacuation exercise, which has raised questions about possible duplicate entries and discrepancies in the records of beneficiaries.

The reactions followed the release of the first part of a documentary by JoyNews Research on November 9, 2026, examining the evacuation ledger and payment records presented by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

According to the report, approximately 50 entries on the final list of 1,964 evacuees appear to repeat names already recorded. The findings reportedly comprise 40 confirmed duplicates and 10 probable cases.

The investigation challenges Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa’s earlier assertion that there were no duplicate entries among the evacuees, each of whom was reportedly paid GH¢5,500.

JoyNews Research said it compared the final list presented by the minister on NewsFile with the ministry’s payment sheets. One example cited involved entries 1360 and 1916, which reportedly carried the same woman’s date of birth and passport number.

The investigation also identified approximately 100 individuals who allegedly appeared on payment lists for more than one evacuation batch. Of these, 45 reportedly signed twice for the GH¢5,000 grant, with signatures examined by the research team appearing different.

The findings have triggered intense debate online. While some Ghanaians have called for full disclosure and official explanations, others have praised JoyNews for its investigative work.

However, some commentators believe the issue has received excessive attention and argue that the country should focus on other pressing national concerns. Others have questioned the media outlet’s motives.

Questions have also been raised about children whose parents reportedly signed for grants on their behalf, with some suggesting this could explain certain signature discrepancies.

The controversy is expected to continue as further parts of the documentary emerge, while attention turns to the Foreign Affairs Ministry for an official response to the reported findings.

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