Alexander Afenyo-Markin demands audit of GH₵49.72m South Africa evacuation

Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has called for an independent audit into the GH₵49.72 million expenditure recorded for the evacuation of Ghanaians from South Africa. The New Patriotic Party (NPP) Minority is questioning significant financial discrepancies in the operation, which was conducted to assist citizens fleeing xenophobic attacks. Afenyo-Markin has further threatened a vote of censure against the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, should he fail to resign over what the Minority describes as systemic weaknesses and mismanagement of public funds.

The Minority Leader emphasized that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government must uphold the same standards of accountability it demanded while in opposition. He noted that inconsistencies in the reported number of evacuees relative to the total expenditure suggest potential financial impropriety. According to Afenyo-Markin, the opposition intends to maintain strict oversight of government contracts and public spending to ensure transparency and value for money for Ghanaian taxpayers.

In response to these allegations, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Shamima Muslim argued that any discrepancies in the records are likely the result of administrative errors rather than criminal activity. Speaking on Good Morning Ghana, she explained that the use of multiple registration documents and varying levels of detail captured across different forms can lead to inconsistencies. She cautioned against premature conclusions regarding corruption and urged the Minority to provide substantiating evidence through legal processes rather than relying on media speculation.

While the government maintains that a departmental audit—reportedly initiated by Minister Okudzeto Ablakwa himself—will clarify the situation, the Minority remains firm in its demand for a truly independent probe. The controversy has become a focal point of national debate, featuring prominently on current affairs programs like Newsfile. The outcome of the investigation is expected to determine whether the GH₵49.72 million expenditure was fully justified or if the Foreign Affairs Ministry will face further parliamentary sanctions.