The Ghanaian government says it has already provided sufficient funds for the evacuation and reintegration of citizens affected by recent xenophobic violence in South Africa.
The Ghanaian government has turned down a GH¢20 million ($2.4 billion) donation offered by telecommunications giant MTN to support Ghanaians affected by recent xenophobic attacks in South Africa. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the decision in a statement issued on Wednesday, explaining that the government had already made adequate financial arrangements to cover the evacuation and reintegration of affected citizens.
More than 1,500 Ghanaians have reportedly been evacuated from South Africa since the latest wave of xenophobic attacks began in April.The government repatriated an initial group of 300 citizens in May, followed by another 1,000 in June. Authorities later announced plans to bring home an additional 900 Ghanaians.
According to the Foreign Affairs Ministry, the government has provided the necessary assistance and support for citizens returning from South Africa. “The Government of Ghana commends MTN for the offer; however, we respectfully decline,” the ministry said. It added that the decision had previously been communicated to MTN’s board chair and chief executive officer during their meeting with Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, on August 14.
The government said it remains committed to funding ongoing humanitarian evacuations and providing financial assistance for the reintegration of Ghanaians brought back to safety. Ghana also promised to publish a detailed breakdown of the total cost of the evacuation exercise after it is completed.
Despite rejecting the donation, the government assured international companies operating in Ghana that it would continue working to maintain a favourable business environment, regardless of where their businesses originated. The latest wave of xenophobic violence in South Africa has triggered diplomatic tensions with several African countries, including Ghana and Nigeria, as governments work to evacuate citizens caught up in the unrest.
Nigeria is also carrying out its own repatriation exercise, with another group of 67 Nigerians arriving in the country on Wednesday. The situation has further strained relations between Nigeria and South Africa. Last month, President Bola Tinubu declined to meet a special South African delegation sent by President Cyril Ramaphosa, directing the delegation instead to meet with Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Sola Enikanolaiye.
