Representative of Ghanaians evacuated from South Africa following xenophobic attacks, Michael Addo, has rejected claims that some returnees received only part of the government’s financial assistance, insisting that all members of the group received the full GH¢5,500 package.
Addressing the media on Monday, October 26, Mr Addo stated that the evacuees would not allow political affiliations or alleged attempts to influence their accounts to distort the assistance they received. He maintained that the package comprised GH¢5,000 in reintegration support and GH¢500 for transportation.
“We are aware that some members of our group have received calls and coaching to speak against the government but our conscience will not allow us to do so even if we support the opposition party rather than the government of the day”
Michael Addo, Representative of Ghanaians Evacuee
Mr Addo explained that the group wanted to clarify the circumstances surrounding the payments after public debate over the support provided to Ghanaians returning from South Africa. He rejected suggestions that some evacuees received only the transportation allowance while others received only the reintegration amount.
He emphasised that the payments were made on different dates, depending on when each person arrived in Ghana. According to him, the difference in arrival dates should not be mistaken for unequal treatment or incomplete payment.
Evacuees Reject Claims of Partial Payments
Mr Addo also disclosed that he personally received the full package after arriving in Ghana on July 31, 2026. He identified his flight as Tanzania Airline TC 35 and his seat as 31F, inviting anyone who doubted his account to verify the details.
The representative stressed that the evacuees were not addressing the media to campaign for the government, but to explain their experience during the repatriation process.
He maintained that the group felt it had received assistance and support when members needed it most. He described the assistance as important to rebuilding lives after circumstances that led to their return.
“We are not here to speak for the government. We are certain in our hearts that we received the best treatment and support as Ghanaians when we needed it most,”
Michael Addo, Representative of Ghanaians Evacuee
Evacuees Describe Conditions Before Return
Mr Addo also recounted the difficult conditions some evacuees experienced while waiting to return home. He explained that the number of people requiring assistance overwhelmed the available accommodation, leaving some to sleep in churches and parking areas.
He stated that some returnees were provided with blankets, particularly those who had been sleeping in makeshift arrangements. The numbers, he explained, made it difficult to accommodate everyone within the embassy premises.
“There were not really places where they could accommodate all of us, even on the premises of the embassy,”
Michael Addo, Representative of Ghanaians Evacuee
Mr Addo further noted that reports had emerged about concerns over the evacuees’ presence around the embassy compound. According to him, there were complaints that some members littered the area and made noise, partly because of the large numbers gathered there.
The account adds context to the challenges faced by the group before their departure from South Africa, where xenophobic attacks prompted the evacuation of Ghanaian nationals.
Minister Maintains All Returnees Received Package
The controversy follows public discussion about whether all returnees received the full amount announced by the government. Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has dismissed allegations that some evacuees received less than GH¢5,500.
Mr Ablakwa maintained that all 1,000 Ghanaians on the evacuation list, including minors, received the full package. He also stated that the ministry had not received complaints about alleged payment shortfalls.
The representative insisted that the evacuees should be allowed to speak from their own experiences without political pressure. He maintained that the group’s account was intended to correct what he described as inaccurate claims about the financial assistance.
He reiterated that all members received the package on their respective dates of arrival and urged the public to consider their accounts as discussions about the evacuation support continue.
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