The Ghana High Commission in Pretoria, South Africa, has acknowledged clerical errors in the records of 15 out of 1,964 Ghanaians evacuated from the country, following a JoyNews data analysis that raised questions about payments of transportation and reintegration allowances to some beneficiaries.
In a press statement issued on October 19, 2026, the High Commission accepted responsibility for the errors but maintained that they did not invalidate the identities of the individuals concerned or their participation in the government’s evacuation exercise.
The clarification follows reports suggesting that the government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, had paid transportation and reintegration allowances to individuals whose recorded dates of birth appeared to fall in the future.
However, the High Commission explained that its verification of the affected records showed that the dates interpreted as dates of birth were, in fact, passport expiry dates.
It attributed the discrepancies to possible transcription errors made by officials while transferring passport details into the evacuation records.
According to the High Commission, the discrepancies affect only 15 individuals out of the 1,964 Ghanaians evacuated from South Africa.
It described the errors as minor clerical mistakes, noting that such inaccuracies could occur during emergency operations involving large numbers of distressed citizens.
The mission stressed that all Ghanaians evacuated underwent the necessary identification, data-processing and departure procedures before being transported home.
It further maintained that the errors did not undermine the identities of the affected individuals, their participation in the exercise or their receipt of the approved transportation and reintegration allowances.
To support its explanation, the High Commission provided corrected personal details and passport information for the 15 individuals identified in the analysis.
The list includes James Akoto Baffour, a footballer born on December 26, 2009; Precious Sekyiwaa, a hairdresser born on May 2, 1983; and Philip Oduro, a security worker born on April 12, 1994.
Other individuals identified in the statement are Victoria Eduaquah, born on March 11, 1990; Prince Obeng Boateng, born on July 13, 2007; and Ebenezar Losu, a barber born on July 13, 1996.
The remaining names are Akua Brifoh, Philimon Opoku Nsiah, Rebecca Agyiwaa Opoku, Emmanuel Ampomah, Rose Pokua, Thomas Nkrumah, Rita Acouah, Rashid Abubakar and David Botwey.
The High Commission supplied their respective dates of birth, passport numbers and passport expiry dates as part of its effort to correct the discrepancies in the records.
It said the amended information had been provided to facilitate the necessary updates and ensure that the public received accurate details about the beneficiaries.
The High Commission also addressed questions relating to the Jibril family, which comprises six people, including a mother and her five children.
It clarified that the family travelled on Emergency Travel Certificates rather than regular passports, adding that this was duly reflected in the amended list.
The explanation forms part of the mission’s broader effort to account for discrepancies identified in the evacuation records and clarify the documentation used by those who benefited from the exercise.
While acknowledging the importance of the JoyNews analysis in bringing the discrepancies to public attention, the High Commission reaffirmed its respect for the media’s role in promoting transparency and accountability.
It encouraged journalists and members of the public to seek clarification from the appropriate official sources whenever inconsistencies emerge in administrative records.
The mission said it remained available to provide further information and urged the media and the general public to rely on the verified and corrected records.
The controversy centres on the transportation and reintegration allowances reportedly paid to Ghanaians evacuated from South Africa through a government-led operation.
The apparent discrepancies in some beneficiaries’ dates of birth prompted questions about the accuracy of the records used to document the exercise and process the associated payments.
The High Commission’s response provides an explanation for the 15 identified discrepancies, attributing them to errors in transcribing passport details rather than problems with the identities of the evacuees.
The mission did not indicate in its statement whether a separate administrative review would be conducted to determine how the transcription errors occurred or what measures would be introduced to prevent similar mistakes in future operations.
The release of the corrected records is expected to inform further scrutiny of the evacuation exercise, particularly regarding the accuracy of the documentation supporting the beneficiaries and the allowances paid.
Despite the errors, the Ghana High Commission expressed pride in the efforts made by officials to rescue distressed Ghanaians and facilitate their safe return home.
It emphasised that the operation involved significant effort and sacrifice to protect Ghanaian citizens who needed assistance in South Africa.
The mission maintained that the clerical mistakes should be considered within the context of the emergency operation, while insisting that the affected individuals were properly identified and participated in the evacuation.
By 1960news.com
