The Minority in Parliament has denied allegations that it paid or persuaded Ghanaian evacuees returning from South Africa to make statements criticising the government’s handling of their repatriation and financial support.
Samuel Abdulai Jinapor, Ranking Member on Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, rejected the claims at a press conference on Tuesday, October 27, insisting that the Minority had neither paid nor influenced any returnee to speak against the government.
“Let me place on record that at no point in time did the Minority engage, pay, and/or convince any of these people,” he said.
His response follows allegations made on Monday by Michael Addo, a representative of the evacuees, who claimed some members of the group had received calls and coaching to criticise the government’s support package.
Mr Addo maintained that all returnees received the full GH¢5,500 package, comprising GH¢5,000 for reintegration and GH¢500 for transportation. He dismissed reports that some evacuees received only part of the announced amount.
Mr Jinapor, however, said the concerns raised by some returnees about discrepancies in the allowances they were entitled to receive prompted them to speak publicly.
The controversy centres on the government’s evacuation of Ghanaians from South Africa following xenophobic attacks. The exercise reportedly cost GH¢49.72 million and covered 1,964 people.
The Minority has questioned aspects of the expenditure and called for an independent audit, arguing that some payments and supporting records require further explanation.
Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has maintained that all evacuees received the full support package and said the ministry had not received complaints about underpayments.
