The controversy surrounding the expenditure of more than GH¢49 million on the evacuation of Ghanaians from South Africa has taken another turn, with a governance pressure group petitioning the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) to investigate the matter.

Advocacy for Citizens Ghana (ACG) is asking the commission to investigate Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa and his ministry over what it describes as unanswered questions surrounding the management and accounting of the evacuation funds.

The petition follows scrutiny of the ministry’s financial records by the Minority in Parliament and Joy News, which the group says has exposed several discrepancies and gaps in the supporting documents.

Although the ministry maintains that the funds were properly utilised, ACG argues that the available records do not adequately account for significant aspects of the expenditure.

Among the concerns raised is the reported payment of GH¢5,500 each to the 1,964 Ghanaians evacuated from South Africa as reintegration and transportation allowances.

The group said the Minority’s probe found that only 824 evacuees could be confirmed as having received the allowance, leaving questions about the remaining beneficiaries.

“This raises questions concerning the payment status of the remaining 1,140 evacuees and whether the full amount allocated for the allowances was actually disbursed to the intended beneficiaries”, the petition noted.

ACG also challenged the ministry’s reported expenditure on hotel accommodation, citing accounts from some evacuees who allegedly had to sleep in churches, buses and parking lots while waiting to be evacuated.

The petition stated that “At a press conference held on 26th October 2026 at the Ghana International Press Centre, some evacuees reportedly stated that they slept in churches, buses and parking lots while awaiting evacuation”.

It questioned whether the accommodation arrangements reflected in the ministry’s expenditure records matched the experiences reported by some beneficiaries.

“These accounts raise questions about the circumstances surrounding the reported expenditure of GH₵141,797.86 on hotel accommodation in South Africa, particularly the number of persons accommodated, the duration of their stay and the actual services provided”, the petition emphasised.

The group further raised concerns about GH¢9,420,463.68 reportedly spent on commercial flight tickets and layover expenses.

“The Ministry also reportedly declared an expenditure of GH₵9,420,463.68 on commercial flight tickets and layover expenses for 1,964 persons. However, the supporting documentation reportedly accounts for only 1,173 persons, leaving a discrepancy involving 791 persons requiring explanation and verification”, it said.

Another major concern involves the GH¢27,183,700 reportedly spent on chartered flights, for which ACG says the ministry has not provided sufficient supporting documentation to independently establish the basis of the expenditure.

The petition also cited other inconsistencies in the accounting documents, including duplicate names, passport numbers and telephone numbers, alongside irregularities in signatures.

In view of these concerns, ACG wants CHRAJ to undertake a comprehensive investigation into the administration of the evacuation exercise, determine the actual number and identities of those evacuated, and examine all expenditure associated with the operation.

“The protection of public funds is a constitutional responsibility and a fundamental requirement for good governance. Public resources belong to the people of Ghana and must be managed with the highest standards of transparency, accountability, prudence and integrity”, the petition added.

The evacuation exercise was initiated by the government in May 2026 following renewed xenophobic attacks, intimidation and anti-immigrant protests targeting African migrants, including Ghanaians, in South Africa, particularly in Durban and other areas.

The operation ended on September 4, 2026, with 1,964 Ghanaians reportedly evacuated amid concerns over deaths, threats to personal safety and the destruction of property.

The government also raised diplomatic concerns with South African authorities and the African Union over the situation.

However, the financial details of the operation have since become a subject of public debate following questions raised by the Minority in Parliament and Joy News after examining documents released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The matter escalated further on November 3, 2026, when the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) organised a protest march in Accra to demand accountability over the evacuation expenditure.