NPP gives Ablakwa 7 days to account for South Africa evacuation spending

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has given Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa a seven-day ultimatum to release documents detailing expenditure on the evacuation of Ghanaians from South Africa, warning of further action if its demands are not met.

Speaking at a press briefing on Sunday, October 18, the party’s Communications Director, Dennis Miracles Aboagye, said the NPP wants the government to provide comprehensive documentation on the reported expenditure involving the evacuation of 1,964 Ghanaians.

The documents being demanded include charter flight invoices and contracts, payment vouchers, signed payment records and a complete list of evacuees, with proof of payment corresponding to each individual.

“Produce the complete set of documents within seven 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,” Mr Aboagye said.

The party is also demanding details of how the charter operator was selected under the Public Procurement Act and an explanation of the GH¢16 million reportedly involved in the evacuation arrangements, including whether the amount was paid in cash or used for purchases.

It further wants Mr Ablakwa to clarify discrepancies in figures relating to ASKY Airlines and different versions of a letter identified as CC/7, including which version was submitted to the Auditor-General.

The NPP is also calling for an independent audit of the evacuation expenditure by an internationally recognised firm, with the terms of reference and findings made public.

While welcoming the Auditor-General’s review of the expenditure, Mr Aboagye argued that it should not be the sole measure of accountability.

He warned that the party would support the Minority in Parliament to pursue the matter if the minister failed to meet its demands within the stipulated period. This could include urgent questions to the minister on the evacuation expenditure.

The NPP also intends to formally petition the Auditor-General to prioritise the expenditure in the special audit and pursue further remedies under the Right to Information (RTI) Act.

The party said it would continue demanding answers until the relevant documents were released and its concerns addressed.

Mr Aboagye also questioned Mr Ablakwa’s commitment to transparency, arguing that the minister had previously demanded detailed explanations of public expenditure from successive governments while in opposition.

According to the NPP, the same standards of accountability should apply to the current administration.

“The 1,964 Ghanaians who fled South Africa suffered enough. They should not now become a headline figure behind which public money cannot be traced,” the party said.

The NPP maintained that releasing the documents was necessary to establish how public funds were spent and restore public confidence in the evacuation arrangements.