The government says it has already secured enough funding to evacuate and support Ghanaians affected by the violence.
Accra, Ghana (Running Africa) — The Ghanaian government has declined a GHS20 million ($1.8 million) donation from MTN Ghana intended to support citizens affected by xenophobic attacks in South Africa, saying sufficient public funds have already been allocated for their evacuation and reintegration.
Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the government and its local partners have the financial resources needed to manage the humanitarian response, making the telecom company’s proposed contribution unnecessary.
Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa said authorities remain focused on evacuating affected Ghanaians and supporting those returning home after being caught up in the violence.
The government stressed that declining MTN’s offer should not be interpreted as a rejection of the company or a change in Ghana’s approach towards foreign investors.
Ghana Declines MTN Ghana’s GHS20 Million Donation
MTN Ghana had offered GHS20 million, equivalent to about $1.8 million, to support the government’s response to Ghanaians affected by the xenophobic violence in South Africa.
However, the Foreign Affairs Ministry said the government had already made adequate financial provisions for the operation.
Officials communicated the decision to MTN Ghana executives during a meeting earlier this month.
The proposed contribution would have been among the largest corporate donations related to the crisis.
Government Says Evacuation Funds Already Available
According to Ablakwa, the government has sufficient resources to finance both the evacuation and reintegration of Ghanaian citizens returning from South Africa.
The response involves helping affected citizens return home safely and providing assistance as they rebuild their lives in Ghana.
Officials say local partners are also supporting the operation, reducing the need for additional corporate funding.
The ministry did not suggest that MTN’s offer was inappropriate, instead presenting the decision as a reflection of the government’s ability to finance the operation itself.
Ghana Says Decision Is Not Rejection of MTN
The government has moved to prevent the decision from being interpreted as a wider disagreement with MTN Ghana.
Officials stressed that declining the GHS20 million contribution does not represent a rejection of the company’s willingness to help or signal a change in Ghana’s relationship with foreign businesses operating in the country.
That distinction is particularly important given MTN’s significant presence in Ghana’s telecommunications industry and the wider role foreign investment plays in the country’s economy.
The government has instead framed the decision in terms of the availability of public resources for the humanitarian operation.
Ghanaians Evacuated From South Africa After Xenophobic Violence
Ghana has been working to assist citizens affected by xenophobic attacks in South Africa, including those seeking to return home.
The violence has again drawn attention to the vulnerability of African migrants living in South Africa and the recurring tensions surrounding immigration and employment.
For those returning to Ghana, the challenge extends beyond evacuation.
Reintegration efforts are intended to help citizens resettle after leaving behind jobs, businesses, and communities in South Africa.
Ghana Promises Full Breakdown of Evacuation Costs
The government has pledged to publish a detailed account of the money spent once the evacuation and reintegration operation is completed.
Officials say the disclosure will provide transparency over how public funds were used and the overall cost of assisting affected citizens.
That commitment could also provide greater clarity over why the government determined that MTN Ghana’s GHS20 million contribution was not required.
For now, authorities say the necessary resources are already available.
By declining MTN Ghana’s $1.8 million donation, the government is signaling its intent to finance the response directly while maintaining that the decision does not diminish the company’s gesture of support.
Attention will now turn to the completion of the evacuation effort and the government’s promised accounting of the ultimately cost of bringing affected Ghanaians home and supporting their reintegration.
