The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has opened an investigation into alleged corruption and corruption-related offences arising from Ghana’s GH¢49.7 million evacuation of citizens from South Africa, following allegations of discrepancies in expenditure and payment records.
In a statement issued on November 9, 2026, the anti-graft office said it was examining alleged inconsistencies between reported expenditure and payment records, including duplicate entries, inadequate supporting documentation and payments recorded against beneficiaries who claim they did not receive the money.
The OSP noted that the investigation seeks to establish whether public funds were properly accounted for and disbursed, identify the recipients of the payments and determine whether any public officer or private individual improperly benefited. It stressed that the inquiry concerns the management of public funds and not the government’s humanitarian decision to evacuate Ghanaians following xenophobic attacks in South Africa.
“The Office is examining alleged discrepancies between reported expenditure and payment records, including duplicate entries, inadequate supporting documents and payments recorded against beneficiaries who say they did not receive them. The examination seeks to establish whether the funds were properly accounted for and disbursed, who received the payments and whether any public officer or private individual improperly benefited.” the statement read.
The investigation follows concerns raised by the Minority in Parliament, which has called for an independent audit of the GH¢49,721,786 expenditure.
In October, the Deputy Ranking Member of Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, Nana Asafo-Adjei Ayeh, alleged that documents obtained from the Foreign Affairs Ministry through a Right to Information request left more than GH¢16.4 million requiring further explanation.
The Minority’s review cited discrepancies in reintegration and transport allowance registers, commercial flight records, duplicate entries and payments involving minors. It argued that the documentation provided did not adequately reconcile the reported number of 1,964 evacuees with the payments and travel records, and called for an independent audit with its findings made public.
Separately, a JoyNews Research investigation reported apparent discrepancies in payment records, including duplicate names, payments without signatures and instances in which some evacuees allegedly did not receive the GH¢5,000 reintegration allowance and GH¢500 transport allowance announced by the government. The investigation also raised questions about missing receipts for some logistical expenses.
The Foreign Affairs Ministry subsequently requested details from Multimedia Group concerning the allegations, including the identities of evacuees who reportedly received less than the announced allowances or whose payment records allegedly lacked corresponding signatures.
The Ministry said it had not received complaints from evacuees about shortfalls in the allowances and sought the information to enable it to investigate the claims.
The evacuation, which took place between May 27 and September 4, 2026, brought 1,964 Ghanaians home following xenophobic attacks and threats against foreign nationals in South Africa.
Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa reported that the exercise cost GH¢49,721,786, comprising GH¢33,721,786 in government funding and GH¢16 million in support from Engineers & Planners, owned by businessman Ibrahim Mahama. The expenditure covered flights, transportation, accommodation, feeding, medical services and reintegration allowances.
The investigation comes after President Mahama urged journalists to exercise restraint in scrutinising government activities, cautioning against what he described as a deliberate search for scandals where none exist.
Speaking at the Ghana Journalists Association Media Awards on November 7, he nevertheless reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the media’s constitutional role in holding public officials accountable.
The OSP’s inquiry is expected to establish whether the concerns raised over the evacuation expenditure point to accounting or administrative gaps, or to possible corruption-related offences. The persons and institutions concerned remain subject to the presumption of innocence unless wrongdoing is established.
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