Majority defends GH¢49.72m South Africa evacuation bill
The Majority Caucus in Parliament has defended the government’s expenditure of GH¢49.72 million incurred in the evacuation of Ghanaian nationals from South Africa.
The defence comes after concerns were raised over the cost of the emergency operation.
Addressing a press conference in Parliament on Tuesday, Deputy Majority Whip and MP for Ablekuma South, Hon. Alfred Okoe Vanderpuije, flanked by Hon. Cletus Seidu Dapilah, MP for Jirapa, and Hon. Zuwera Mohammed Ibrahimah, MP for Salaga South, said the amount was fully justified given the circumstances of the evacuation.
According to the Majority, the GH¢49.72 million covered the total cost of the operation, including chartered flights, ground transportation, feeding, temporary accommodation and other logistics for the evacuated citizens.
The Majority Caucus argued that the safety and welfare of Ghanaian citizens abroad remain a priority of government, and no cost is too high when lives are at risk.
They maintained that all expenditures were properly accounted for and called on the public to disregard attempts to politicize a humanitarian intervention.
The evacuation was undertaken to bring home Ghanaian nationals who were stranded and distressed in South Africa.
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