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Ablakwa: COVID-19 Evacuation Cost Ghana GH¢96.97m — More Than South Africa Exercise
Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has revealed a surprising figure. Ghana spent GH¢96.97 million on COVID-19 evacuations under the previous NPP government. That is nearly double the GH¢49.72 million Ghana spent on the South Africa evacuation. He shared the figures on JoyNews Newsfile on Saturday, October 17, 2026. Furthermore, he said an audit will establish how the money was used.
Most COVID-19 Returnees Paid Their Own Way
Ablakwa stressed that most returnees covered their own costs. More than 80 percent paid for their own flights. They also paid for their own quarantine and COVID-19 tests. State support went only to vulnerable people who could not afford the cost. However, the government still spent GH¢44 million on quarantine costs alone. Therefore, Ablakwa said he expected the COVID-19 figure to be lower than the South Africa total. The numbers surprised him.
Ablakwa Will Not Accuse Anyone Before Audit Concludes
Ablakwa said he does not know what drove the GH¢96.97 million figure. That uncertainty is why he invited an audit. He refuses to accuse anyone of wrongdoing before the audit ends. Moreover, he said figures alone cannot justify theft allegations. He holds his predecessor in high esteem. As a result, he said all conclusions must wait for the audit’s findings.
Minority Had Already Called for Independent Audit
The Minority caucus earlier demanded an independent audit of the South Africa evacuation. It alleges that GH¢16.4 million in spending needs further explanation. Moreover, it says records do not reconcile with the reported 1,964 evacuees. Therefore, the COVID-19 figures add a new dimension to the debate. Both administrations now face questions over evacuation spending.