Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee Deputy Ranking Member, Nana Asafo-Adjei Ayeh, has clarified that the Minority’s call for further particulars regarding the recent evacuation from South Africa is not driven by malice.
He insisted that the government must present comprehensive documentary evidence to account for the total expenditure incurred while bringing home distressed Ghanaians amid xenophobic attacks.
His demands follow an announcement by Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, who disclosed that the state spent GH¢49.7 million to evacuate 1,964 citizens. Speaking on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM’s Frontline program, the lawmaker stressed the necessity of full disclosure to verify public accounts.
While commending the state for intervening to protect its citizens in a crisis, Ayeh argued that verbal declarations at a press conference are insufficient to guarantee financial transparency. He maintained that assertions regarding completed operations, settled liabilities, and specific headcounts must be substantiated with official operational and financial records.
“We are asking the Minister to provide detailed accounts of what was done. The numbers he provided lack clarity. This is what we are asking the Minister, and I don’t think it is something so difficult to ask. If the government claims they have evacuated people, is it not fair to demand answers? I don’t think the Minority is out of place in making these demands,” he said.
Acknowledging that the Minority could formally file parliamentary questions to summon the Minister, Ayeh defended their decision to use media engagements as a valid avenue for accountability. He reiterated that while they are not explicitly alleging wrongdoing at this stage, they expect complete transparency from the Ministry.
When questioned about whether the opposition holds concrete proof that the figures were inflated, Ayeh indicated that they are pacing their strategy based on the government’s response.
“What evidence we have will be kept to our chest for now. We have demanded answers to our questions, and we want him to respond; then we will also interrogate the issues and provide what we have. We are not alleging anything for now. You have provided details of the number of people evacuated; we want their details and the cost involved. Were children counted or not? We want answers to these questions, and we will wait for him to respond before we put out what we have,” he stated.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
