The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has requested details and supporting evidence from a media organisation(Multimedia Group) following allegations that some Ghanaian nationals evacuated from South Africa did not receive their full reintegration and transportation allowances.
In a letter dated October 26, 2026, and signed on behalf of the Minister for Foreign Affairs by the Ministry’s Chief Director, Ambassador Shadija Idrissu, the Ministry asked the media organisation to provide particulars of the alleged discrepancies to facilitate an investigation.
The allegations were made by Isaac Kofi Agyei, described as the Head of Research of the media organisation, during Joy FM’s Newsfile programme aired on Saturday, October 24, 2026.
According to the Ministry, Mr Agyei stated during the programme that he had spoken to three Ghanaian evacuees who allegedly received only GH¢2,000 instead of the total GH¢5,500 announced by the government.
The Ministry said he also alleged that approximately 40 other evacuees had received the GH¢5,000 reintegration allowance but had not been paid the additional GH¢500 transportation allowance.
Additionally, the media representative reportedly claimed that some payments were made without the beneficiaries signing the corresponding acknowledgement records, although their names were subsequently associated with signatures in the Ministry’s payment records.
The Ministry described the allegations as serious and said they warranted thorough investigation because of the concerns they raised about the integrity of the disbursement process.
It noted that the claims could also affect the reputation of the Ministry and the officers responsible for administering and supervising the payments.
To establish the facts, the Ministry has requested the names and contact details of the three evacuees who allegedly received GH¢2,000 instead of the announced GH¢5,500 package.
It has also asked for the identities and contact details of the approximately 40 evacuees who allegedly received the GH¢5,000 reintegration allowance without the additional GH¢500 transportation payment.
The media organisation has further been asked to provide the names and relevant particulars of evacuees who allegedly received payments without signing the corresponding acknowledgement records, despite signatures reportedly appearing against their names in the Ministry’s records.
The Ministry said the requested information would enable it to contact the individuals concerned, hear their accounts, examine the relevant payment and acknowledgement records, and investigate the allegations objectively.
It also invited the media organisation to submit any additional information or supporting evidence in its possession that could assist the inquiry.
The Ministry said the reintegration and transportation allowances were publicly announced before the commencement of the evacuation exercise.
It further stated that, as of the date of the letter, it had not received any complaint from an evacuee concerning a shortfall in either allowance.
Against this background, the Ministry said the emergence of the allegations approximately five months after the evacuation exercise commenced warranted clarification and verification.
The Ministry also expressed concern that the media organisation had not contacted it to verify the outcome of its interactions with the evacuees before the allegations were made public.
It is seeking the cooperation of the media organisation to establish the basis of the claims and ensure that the inquiry is conducted using verifiable information.
The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, accountability and the fair and impartial examination of the matters raised.
It said the information being requested would help establish whether any discrepancies occurred during the disbursement of the allowances and determine the circumstances surrounding the alleged irregularities.
The Ministry expressed confidence that the media organisation would cooperate by providing the requested details to enable a comprehensive inquiry.
The allegations remain subject to verification, and the Ministry’s request for particulars is intended to facilitate an investigation into the claims.
By 1960news.com
