The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has given Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa seven days to produce documents covering the expenditure on the evacuation of Ghanaians from South Africa, warning of further action if its demands are not met.
Speaking at a press briefing on Sunday, October 18, the Communications Director of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dennis Miracles Aboagye, said the party is demanding the release of charter flight invoices and contracts, payment vouchers, signed payment records and a complete list of the 1,964 evacuees with proof of payment against each name.
“Produce the complete set of documents within 7 days. Lay before the RTI requisition and Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee every charter invoice and contract, every payment voucher, every signed sheet, and the full list of 1,964 evacuees with proof of payment against each name,” he said.
He also indicated that the party is seeking details of the selection of the charter operator under the Public Procurement Act and an explanation of the GH¢16 million reportedly involved in the evacuation arrangements, including whether the amount was paid in cash or used for purchases.
The NPP further wants the Minister to clarify discrepancies in two sets of figures relating to “ASKY Airlines and different versions of a letter identified as CC/7, including which version was submitted to the Auditor-General.”
As part of its demands, the party is calling for an independent audit by an internationally recognised firm, with the terms of reference and findings made public.
Mr Aboagye noted that the Auditor-General’s review of the expenditure was welcome but should not be the only measure of accountability.
The NPP warned that failure to meet the demands would prompt it to support the Minority in Parliament to pursue the matter, including through urgent questions to the Minister.
It also intends to “formally petition the Auditor-General to prioritise the evacuation expenditure in the special audit and pursue further remedies under the Right to Information Act.”
The party said it would continue raising questions about the expenditure until the relevant documents and explanations were made available.
The NPP further questioned Mr Ablakwa’s commitment to accountability, arguing that he had previously pressed successive governments for detailed explanations of public expenditure while in opposition.
It said the same standard of transparency should apply to the current administration.
“The 1,964 Ghanaians who fled South Africa suffered enough. They should not now become a headline figure behind which public money cannot be traced,” the party said.
The NPP maintained that the release of the documents was necessary to establish how public funds were spent and restore public confidence in the evacuation arrangements.
The demands follow concerns raised by the party over the reported cost of chartered flights and the supporting documentation for the evacuation expenditure.