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GENERAL

Majority Caucus Backs Okudzeto Ablakwa: No Funds Missing in 1,964 Evacuee Exercise

The Majority Caucus of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Foreign Affairs has robustly defended the government's evacuation of 1,964 Ghanaian nationals from South Africa, stating that a comprehensive report submitted to Parliament contains a full and credible account of all expenditures, effectively dismissing allegations of unaccounted funds raised by the Minority.

Date Created : 10/14/2026 : Story Author : Ghanadistricts.com

Addressing a press conference in Accra, the Chairman of the Committee, Honourable Alfred Oko Vanderpuije, stated that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, under the leadership of Honourable Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, had demonstrated unprecedented transparency. He confirmed that the Committee received a detailed report on September 18, 2026, which included a complete roll of all evacuees with their names, passport numbers, and signatures, as well as extensive financial documentation covering flights, accommodation, and logistics.

The Chairman specifically addressed the allegations made by the Minority Caucus on October 11, which suggested that public funds were unaccounted for. "The Majority Caucus... can state with the utmost conviction and without the slightest equivocation that the Ministry has rendered an exceptionally comprehensive, impeccable and credible account of the evacuation exercise," Hon. Vanderpuije declared, adding that the documentation included receipts for the GH¢16 million donation from Engineers and Planners.

In a move to demonstrate good faith and transparency, Hon. Vanderpuije revealed that the Foreign Ministry had voluntarily invited the Auditor-General to conduct an independent audit of all evacuation exercises from 2017 onwards. This includes the 2020 COVID-19, 2022 Ukraine, and 2023 Sudan evacuations. He noted that this invitation proved the Ministry had nothing to hide, contrasting it with the previous administration's record.

The Majority Caucus also took a swipe at the Minority for boycotting a briefing session offered by the Minister prior to their public allegations. "Their subsequent resort to public allegations, having declined the opportunity for direct parliamentary scrutiny, raises legitimate questions about the sincerity of their professed commitment to accountability," the Chairman stated, describing the Minority's actions as "political mischief."

Highlighting the success of the exercise, the Chairman noted that not a single evacuee had come forward to claim they did not receive the GH¢5,500 integration and transportation allowance. He stated that the total cost of GH¢49,721,786 was a "true and accurate reflection" of the exercise, arguing that it was a prudent expenditure compared to what he described as the profligate spending of the previous New Patriotic Party (NPP) government.

The Committee used the platform to commend President John Dramani Mahama and Minister Okudzeto Ablakwa for their decisive leadership in what they termed a "laudable humanitarian undertaking." Hon. Vanderpuije urged the Minister to remain focused on his duties, stating that the attempts to assassinate his character through "personal hatred, malice and pedestrian conjecture" had failed.

The press conference concluded with Hon. Ibrahimah Mohammed Zuwera, MP for Salaga South, providing a more detailed exposition of the Majority's findings in response to the Minority's specific claims. The Majority Caucus maintains that the call for a comprehensive audit is the appropriate path forward to ensure accountability across all successive administrations.

GENERAL

Majority Caucus Backs Okudzeto Ablakwa: No Funds Missing in 1,964 Evacuee Exercise

Date Created : 10/14/2026 : Story Author : Ghanadistricts.com

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