South Africa evacuee alleges NPP members coached returnees to criticise government payments
A representative of Ghanaians evacuated from South Africa following xenophobic attacks, Michael Addo, has alleged that some returnees were contacted and coached by members of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) to criticise the government's financial support package.
Speaking to the media on Monday, October 26, Mr Addo said the evacuees were determined to share their experiences truthfully, regardless of their political affiliations.
He insisted that partisan interests would not influence their accounts of the assistance received from the government.
“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,” he said.
Mr Addo also disputed claims that some returnees received only GH¢500 as transportation support, while others were paid only the GH¢5,000 reintegration allowance.
According to him, all members of the group received the full GH¢5,500 package, comprising GH¢5,000 for reintegration and GH¢500 for transportation, on their respective arrival dates.
He urged the public to focus on the facts rather than allow political considerations to shape the discussion surrounding the evacuation exercise.
“It is only fair that we state the facts and refuse to allow petty politics to make us liars,” he said, rejecting claims of shortfalls in the payments.
Background
The comments come amid growing public scrutiny of the government's expenditure on the evacuation of Ghanaians from South Africa following xenophobic attacks.
Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has also defended the payment arrangements, dismissing allegations that some returnees received less than the announced GH¢5,500 package.
He has maintained that all 1,000 Ghanaians on the evacuation list, including minors, received the full amount. The minister has also said the ministry has not received complaints about alleged payment shortfalls.
The competing claims have intensified the debate over the payments, with questions being raised about the accuracy of the records and the accountability of funds used for the exercise.
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