Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has mounted a spirited defence over the disbursement of uniform reintegration and transport packages to all evacuees, including minors, repatriated from South Africa.
Under the government’s relief scheme, every returned Ghanaian received GH¢5,000 as a reintegration allowance alongside an additional GH¢500 for transport logistics upon arrival at the Kotoka International Airport.
The Minister’s remarks followed scrutiny from the Minority in Parliament regarding the allocation of full monetary packages to children featured on the official beneficiaries list.
Speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile on Saturday, October 17, Mr Ablakwa clarified that the policy was executed under direct executive directives to ensure families receive adequate support to resettle.
“You heard the Minority saying that they have seen minors on the list. I stated publicly on the 7th of September when I addressed the country. That was the day I revealed for the first time that Engineers and Planners have supported the exercise with GH16 million,” he stated.
“I stated clearly that on President Mahama’s instruction, all the children received the same amount,” he noted.
Detailing the rationale behind the payment structure, the Foreign Minister stressed that affected children require direct financial intervention to ease their return and facilitate re-enrolment in domestic academic institutions.
“These families need support. If you have children, you have to take care of them; you have to look for schools for these children, so do not just think only about the parents or the guardian; also have a package for the children,” he said.
He explained that their reintegration needs justified receiving the same amount as their parents, as returning home also meant readjusting to a different educational environment.
Between May 27 and September 4, 2026, a total of 1,964 Ghanaian nationals were brought back to Ghana following a wave of xenophobic violence and targeted intimidation across South Africa. The Foreign Ministry put the overall operational expenditure for the exercise at GH¢49,721,786.
In line with transparency protocols, the Ministry on September 18 submitted a comprehensive report exceeding 200 pages—complete with evacuee signatures and contact details—to Nana Asafo-Adjei Ayeh, Deputy Ranking Member of Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, following a Right to Information (RTI) request.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
