A communicator of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Hajia Alimatu Issahak, has defended the government’s decision to reject a GH¢20 million donation from MTN Ghana intended to support the evacuation of Ghanaians from South Africa, saying the move was driven by considerations of national pride and dignity.
Speaking on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, Hajia Issahak argued that MTN, as a South African company, should have focused its efforts on calling for an end to the xenophobic attacks in its home country rather than offering financial assistance to Ghana .
“MTN is from South Africa and if they had any advice, they should have given it to their nation to stop the attacks on foreigners instead of just bringing us money,” she said .
She stressed that Ghana should not accept financial assistance simply because it was facing difficulties, emphasising that national pride must also be considered in such circumstances.
“We will not just accept any money. National pride and dignity are very important,” she stated .
Citing a local proverb to illustrate the government’s position, she said: “There is a saying that the fact that you are hungry doesn’t mean you just drink from any cup” .
Government Officially Declined MTN Offer in August
The government’s rejection of the MTN donation was formally communicated in a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on August 26, 2026. The Ministry said it had become aware of media reports suggesting MTN Ghana was preparing to make the donation, with the announcement attributed to MTN Board Chairman Dr. Ishmael Yamson .
“The Government of Ghana commends MTN for the offer; however, we respectfully decline,” the Ministry stated, explaining that the Mahama Administration had made adequate provision for the ongoing evacuation and reintegration of affected Ghanaians .
The Ministry disclosed that the government’s position had already been directly conveyed to the Board Chairman and CEO of MTN when they met with Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa on August 14, 2026 .
Ghana Escapes South Africa’s $18 Million Repatriation Bill
The decision to reject external financial support has proven to be financially prudent for Ghana. South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs has formally asked Nigeria, Malawi, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique to reimburse part of the nearly $18 million it spent on housing and transporting migrants who requested to return to their home countries following the xenophobic attacks .
Ghana was not included on that list .
Sources indicate that South African authorities had offered to assist with Ghana’s repatriation exercise, but the Ghanaian government declined, choosing instead to take full responsibility for evacuating its own citizens . The Ministry of Foreign Affairs later confirmed that Ghana “did not seek any financial or material support from the South African Government to bring our fellow nationals back home” .
Evacuation Exercise and Costs
More than 1,600 Ghanaians have been repatriated through a combination of chartered and commercial flights, with the exercise funded entirely by the Ghanaian government and supported by some private businesses . Each returnee received a reintegration allowance and transport fare upon arrival at Accra International Airport, in addition to other relief items .
The government has since disclosed that a total of GH¢49,000,721.76 was spent on evacuating 1,964 Ghanaians . Of this amount, GH¢38,000,335.51 went towards chartered flights, commercial air tickets, ground transportation, feeding, hotel accommodation, medical care, and hospitalisation. Another GH¢10,000,802 was spent on reintegration and transportation allowances, with each evacuee receiving GH¢5,000 for reintegration and GH¢500 for transportation .
The Minority in Parliament has called for documentary evidence to reconcile the various figures associated with the exercise, demanding a passenger manifest to verify the actual number of people evacuated .
Background: Xenophobic Attacks and Regional Fallout
The evacuation exercise followed a wave of xenophobic attacks in South Africa that targeted foreign nationals, including Ghanaians. The violence prompted several African governments to repatriate their citizens, with South Africa subsequently seeking to recover costs from some of those countries.
The incident also strained diplomatic relations in the region. A planned state visit by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa to Ghana was reportedly deferred amid tensions over the killing of a Ghanaian national in South Africa . South Africa’s presidency later dismissed reports that Ramaphosa had formally requested to visit Ghana .
Ghana’s decision to fund its own evacuation independently has been praised by many Ghanaians, who said the government acted swiftly to protect its citizens and save lives . The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to protecting Ghanaians abroad and taking “timely and decisive action” whenever their safety and security are at risk, regardless of the cost .
The government has assured the public that it will present a comprehensive account of the total cost of the evacuation exercise once completed, in the interest of transparency and accountability .
