By: Kenneth Appiah Bani
The Minority in Parliament has intensified its demand for transparency and accountability over government’s expenditure on the evacuation of Ghanaian nationals from South Africa.The Minority’s position was articulated by Samuel Jinapor, Ranking Member of Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, who disclosed that almost GH¢50 million has reportedly been spent on the evacuation exercise.
According to Jinapor, despite the significant amount involved, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not yet furnished the Minority with a detailed, itemised account explaining how the funds were spent. The development has led the Minority to boycott a meeting of the Foreign Affairs Committee, with the Caucus insisting that it requires comprehensive information on the expenditure before it can fully engage with the matter.
Jinapor said the Minority’s concern is not simply about the total amount allegedly spent on the evacuation but also about the manner in which the expenditure was incurred. He stressed that government must provide a breakdown of the payments made, the services procured and the entities or individuals who received funds in connection with the exercise.
“Government must account not only for the total amount spent, but also for how the expenditure was incurred,” Jinapor said. The Ranking Member argued that transparency in public spending is particularly important when substantial taxpayer resources are involved. The Minority is therefore calling for the Ministry to make available the relevant financial records to enable Parliament to properly scrutinise the expenditure.
The decision by the Minority to boycott the Foreign Affairs Committee meeting forms part of its broader demand for full disclosure of the financial details surrounding the evacuation.
Jinapor maintained that the Minority would remain firm in its position until the necessary information is made available.“The Minority will remain resolute in demanding transparency and accountability in the use of taxpayers’ funds,” he said.
The Caucus believes that Parliament, through its oversight responsibilities, has a duty to scrutinise government expenditure and ensure that public resources are properly accounted for.
The controversy over the reported GH¢50 million expenditure places renewed attention on the financial management of emergency and evacuation exercises involving Ghanaian nationals abroad.While the government may provide explanations for the expenditure and the circumstances surrounding the evacuation, the Minority wants the process subjected to parliamentary scrutiny through detailed documentation.
The demand for an itemised account is intended to establish how much was spent on the various components of the exercise and whether the expenditure followed the appropriate financial and procurement procedures.
The Minority’s position also raises broader questions about accountability in the use of public funds, particularly where Parliament is required to exercise oversight over government ministries and agencies. At the centre of the dispute is the Minority’s request for a comprehensive financial account from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Minority wants the Ministry to disclose not only the overall expenditure but also the details underpinning the reported amount of almost GH¢50 million. Such information, according to Jinapor’s position, would allow members of the Foreign Affairs Committee to properly examine the expenditure and determine how the funds were utilised.
The issue is expected to remain a subject of parliamentary scrutiny as the Minority continues to push for greater transparency over the South Africa evacuation expenditure. For now, the Minority says it will maintain its position and continue demanding the release of the detailed financial records before fully participating in discussions concerning the expenditure.
