South Africa Evacuation: Gov’t Rejects MTN Ghana’s GH¢20m Support Offer

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa

The Government of Ghana has declined a GH¢20 million support offer from MTN Ghana to assist Ghanaians affected by the recent xenophobic attacks in South Africa, insisting that it has already made adequate financial provisions for the ongoing evacuation and reintegration exercise.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement issued on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, said it had taken note of media reports indicating that MTN Ghana intended to provide the financial support following comments attributed to the company’s Board Chairman, Dr Ishmael Yamson.

While expressing appreciation for MTN Ghana’s gesture, the Ministry said the government had decided not to accept the proposed donation.

“The Government of Ghana commends MTN for the offer; however, we respectfully decline,” the Ministry stated.

According to the Ministry, the decision had already been communicated to MTN Ghana’s Board Chairman and Chief Executive Officer during a meeting with the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, on August 14.

The government explained that the John Dramani Mahama administration, in collaboration with local partners, had made sufficient financial arrangements to cover the evacuation and reintegration of Ghanaians returning from South Africa.

It therefore said accepting the additional financial support from MTN Ghana was unnecessary at this stage.

Government assures evacuees of support

The Ministry reaffirmed the government’s commitment to financing the evacuation exercise and providing the necessary reintegration assistance to Ghanaians brought back from South Africa.

The assurance comes amid concerns over the welfare of Ghanaian nationals affected by the recent xenophobic attacks and the logistical and financial demands associated with bringing affected citizens home.

The government said it would continue to take responsibility for the evacuation process while working with relevant stakeholders to ensure that returning Ghanaians receive the necessary support to reintegrate into their communities.

Government to publish evacuation cost

As part of its commitment to transparency and accountability, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs also announced plans to publish a comprehensive account of the total cost of the evacuation exercise once the process has been completed.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs assures that it will present to the general public a comprehensive account of the total cost of evacuations as soon as the exercise is concluded, in the interest of transparency and accountability,” the statement said.

The disclosure is expected to provide the public with details of expenditure incurred during the evacuation and reintegration process.

Government assures MTN and other international businesses

The Ministry also sought to reassure MTN Ghana and other international companies operating in the country that the government remains committed to maintaining a favourable business environment.

It stressed that all international brands operating in Ghana would continue to receive an enabling environment to conduct their businesses, regardless of their countries of origin.

“Government will continue to create the best business ecosystem for all international brands operating in Ghana to succeed, irrespective of which country their businesses originated from,” the Ministry added.

The government’s decision means that the GH¢20 million offered by MTN Ghana will not form part of the funding for the current South Africa evacuation and reintegration programme, with the state maintaining that it has sufficient resources to meet the associated costs.