The Minority Caucus on Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee has called on Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, to resign immediately over what it describes as serious irregularities surrounding the cost of Ghana’s South Africa evacuation exercise.
The group says if the Minister refuses to step down, President John Dramani Mahama should terminate his appointment.
At a press conference in Accra on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, and addressed by the Ranking Member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Samuel Abu Jinapor, the Minority claimed that its review of documents obtained from the Foreign Affairs Ministry under the Right to Information Act uncovered discrepancies between public explanations provided by the Ministry and records relating to the evacuation of 1,964 Ghanaians from South Africa.
According to the Minority, the exercise cost GH¢49.7 million.
The opposition lawmakers said their examination of the records revealed what they described as duplicate entries, gaps in supporting documentation, and expenditures requiring further explanation.
They also cited media reports alleging that some evacuees did not receive allowances that were purportedly allocated to them, while other payments were allegedly recorded without signatures or supporting receipts.
Addressing journalists, the Minority argued that the latest revelations have deepened concerns about the handling of public funds earmarked for the evacuation exercise. The group maintained that initial explanations offered by the Ministry failed to adequately address questions it had raised following its examination of the records.
The caucus rejected claims that it had influenced or paid evacuees to speak against the government, insisting that any evacuees who have publicly shared concerns did so on their own initiative after learning about discrepancies between what they expected to receive and what they actually received.
The Minority further expressed concern about reports that officials at Ghana’s High Commission in Pretoria had allegedly warned evacuees against speaking to the media on the matter.
According to the caucus, such actions raise further questions about transparency in the handling of the evacuation programme.
Based on what it describes as mounting evidence of financial irregularities, the Minority has renewed its demand for an independent audit of the entire evacuation exercise by an internationally reputable accounting firm.
The group argues that only a comprehensive external review can establish the full facts surrounding the expenditure.
Beyond the audit, the caucus is demanding the resignation of Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, arguing that as sector minister, he must accept responsibility for developments that have undermined public confidence in the management of the exercise.
The Minority stated that should the Minister refuse to resign, President John Dramani Mahama must dismiss him in accordance with the standards set out in the government’s code of conduct for political appointees.
It also warned that if the Minister remains in office, it may pursue a parliamentary vote of censure against him under the Constitution and Standing Orders of Parliament.
