Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa will face questions on Ghana’s bid to join the BRICS economic bloc and the GH¢49.7 million spent evacuating Ghanaians from South Africa when he appears on JoyNews’ flagship current affairs programme, Newsfile, on Saturday, October 17.
Mr Ablakwa will be interviewed by host Samson Lardy Anyenini on the two issues, which have sparked debate over Ghana’s foreign policy direction and the cost of protecting citizens abroad.
The interview comes after Cabinet approved Ghana’s decision to formally apply to join BRICS, a grouping of emerging economies.
Mr Ablakwa announced the decision during a joint press briefing with India’s External Affairs Minister, Dr S. Jaishankar, in Accra on October 6.
He said membership could help Ghana diversify its international partnerships and expand opportunities for trade, investment and economic cooperation.
“BRICS offers us that opportunity to have options in our development agenda, and you want to have options,” he said.
Mr Ablakwa said Ghana was pursuing sustainable economic growth, industrialisation and greater control over its natural resources, adding that the country wanted to move away from continued dependence on exporting raw materials.
Dr Jaishankar welcomed Ghana’s interest but noted that the decision would require collective consideration by BRICS members.
The proposal has drawn scrutiny from the Minority in Parliament, which has called for an urgent briefing on the geopolitical and national-interest implications of the move.
Samuel Abu Jinapor, Ranking Member on Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, has questioned why Ghana is pursuing full membership rather than a partner-country arrangement similar to Nigeria’s.
GH¢49.7m evacuation cost faces questions
The second major issue will be the GH¢49.7 million spent evacuating 1,964 Ghanaians from South Africa following xenophobic attacks.
According to Mr Ablakwa, the exercise cost GH¢49,721,786, with the government contributing GH¢33.7 million and Engineers and Planners, owned by businessman Ibrahim Mahama, donating GH¢16 million.
He said each evacuee received GH¢5,000 as a reintegration grant and GH¢500 for travel and transportation.
“The lives protected and the dignity of Ghanaians far outweighs the cost,” Mr Ablakwa said in defence of the expenditure.
The spending has, however, prompted calls from the Minority for a detailed breakdown of the costs, including the amount spent per evacuee.
The Minority Caucus on the Foreign Affairs Committee boycotted a planned briefing by the Minister, leading the Committee Chairman to reschedule the meeting.
The Majority Caucus has defended the expenditure, insisting that no public funds are missing. Committee Chairman Dr Alfred Okoe Vanderpuije has said the Ministry submitted a report supported by receipts and other documentation covering the operation.
Mr Ablakwa has also voluntarily requested an independent audit of evacuation exercises undertaken by successive governments since 2017.
Newsfile airs from 8:00am on Saturday, October 17, on Joy 99.7 FM, JoyNews and other platforms.