TEMA, Ghana, 22nd October: The Secretary-General of the Ghana Federation of Labour (GFL), Abraham Koomson, has defended Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa against allegations of financial discrepancies in the evacuation of 1,964 Ghanaians from South Africa.
Mr. Koomson questioned the basis for accusing the minister of wrongdoing, arguing that there was no evidence to suggest that Okudzeto Ablakwa had stolen public funds in connection with the evacuation exercise.
The minister has faced criticism from opposition figures and Minority lawmakers over the reported GH¢49.72 million cost of evacuating Ghanaians from South Africa between May and September 2026, following xenophobic attacks.
The opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), including its Director of Communications, Dennis Miracles Aboagye, and Deputy Ranking Member on Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, Nana Asafo-Agyei Ayeh, have raised concerns about the expenditure and questioned the accuracy of the reported costs.
Critics have also pointed to alleged inconsistencies in beneficiary payment registers, duplicate entries, unsigned payment records and flight manifests, calling for an independent audit of the expenditure.
Concerns have particularly centred on the reported reintegration allowance of GH¢5,000 and transport allowance of GH¢500 per evacuee, with critics questioning whether the payments can be fully verified against the list of beneficiaries.
However, Okudzeto Ablakwa has rejected the allegations, insisting that the evacuation exercise was transparent and that the expenditure was properly accounted for.
He has defended the GH¢49.72 million figure during public engagements and media appearances, including on JoyNews’ Newsfile programme.
Abraham Koomson Questions Allegations Against Ablakwa
Reacting to the controversy on Ahotor FM’s Adekyee Mu Nsem programme on Thursday , October 22, Mr. Koomson questioned what crime the Foreign Affairs Minister had committed, insisting that allegations of financial wrongdoing should not be treated as established facts without evidence.
He maintained that the minister had not been shown to have looted public funds through the evacuation exercise.
Abraham Koomson said he had listened to an explanation from an officer of Ghana’s embassy concerning the documentation surrounding the exercise, noting that typographical errors could occur in administrative records.
He accused the NPP of exaggerating the concerns over the evacuation expenditure for political gain, arguing that the party was raising an alarm without sufficient grounds.
According to him, the controversy appeared to be part of an attempt by the opposition to discredit the government and distract it from its priorities.
He consequently urged the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) to remain focused on its development agenda and avoid being distracted by what he described as opposition propaganda.
He cautioned the government against allowing the controversy to derail its work, stressing the need to concentrate on delivering on its promises to Ghanaians.
Story by: Emmanuel Romeo Tetteh (#RomeoWrites✍️ )
