The Tema United Cadres Front (UCF) has defended the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, over the ongoing controversy surrounding the evacuation of 1,964 Ghanaians fleeing xenophobic attacks in South Africa.
In a press release dated October 30, 2026, the group said it had followed with keen interest the ongoing banter between the NPP Minority and the Minister regarding the humanitarian evacuation of Ghanaian citizens.
The UCF stated that the evacuation was not a personal or luxury flight for the Minister but a state-coordinated humanitarian exercise involving 1,964 Ghanaians between May 27 and September 4, 2026.
According to the group, 956 evacuees were airlifted on chartered flights, while 1,008 travelled on commercial flights, including Ethiopian Airlines, Air Tanzania, ASKY and EgyptAir.
The group said the total expenditure presented by the Ministry was GH¢49,721,786, comprising GH¢38,835,512 for chartered flights, commercial tickets, ground transportation in South Africa, feeding, hotel accommodation and medical bills.
It said GH¢10,802,000 covered reintegration support of GH¢5,000 and a GH¢500 transport allowance for each of the 1,964 evacuees, while GH¢84,274 was spent on the dignified repatriation of two bodies.
The UCF further stated that the Minister had submitted over 200 pages of documentation, including receipts, boarding passes, flight manifests bearing all 1,964 names and signed allowance sheets. It added that he had duly written to the constitutionally mandated Audit Service for a full audit.
The group questioned the Minority’s calls for the resignation or dismissal of the Minister, describing them as inconsistent with the facts and as a matter of personal vendetta.
It also accused the NPP Minority of being inconsistent with figures, citing GH¢27,183,700 and claiming it represented $750,000 per charter flight for three flights, against a market rate of $180,000 to $300,000, while simultaneously demanding original Ethiopian Airlines invoices.
The UCF, however, said that if the cost of $750,000 per charter flight was considered high, it was a legitimate question for an audit, which the Minister himself had invited.
The group also cited the NPP Ranking Member, Hon. Abu Jinapor, as having admitted that they had not accused the Minister of any wrongdoing.
It described the comparison to former President Akufo-Addo’s private jet saga as false and mischievous, arguing that the former concerned luxury and presidential comfort, while the current exercise was about saving the lives of 1,964 distressed Ghanaians.
The Tema United Cadres Front said it demanded accountability and supported a thorough independent audit by the mandated state institution, but would not allow what it described as propaganda against the Minister to undermine his commitment to the welfare of Ghanaians abroad.
The group called on the NPP to stop the propaganda and allow the due process of auditing to take its course.
The statement was signed by Comrade Posh Aggrey, Secretary, and Comrade Oliver Ahiafor Agbenyo, Chairman of the Tema United Cadres Front.
Story by Freedom Etsey Lavoe