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 assistance package.
Addressing the press on Monday, October 26, Mr Addo said some members of the group had allegedly been approached to make statements against the government but insisted that the evacuees would not allow partisan interests to influence their accounts.
“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.
The group also rejected reports that some returnees received only GH¢500 in transportation assistance, while others were paid just the GH¢5,000 reintegration allowance.
According to Mr Addo, all the evacuees received the full GH¢5,500 package, comprising GH¢5,000 for reintegration and GH¢500 for transportation, on their respective dates of arrival in Ghana.
He described claims of partial payments as false and urged the public to consider the accounts of the returnees rather than allow the issue to become a subject of partisan political contest.
“It is only fair that we state the facts and refuse to allow petty politics to make us liars,” he said, reiterating that all members of the group received the full package.
The comments come amid public debate over the government’s financial support for Ghanaians evacuated from South Africa following xenophobic attacks.
Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has also rejected claims that some returnees received less than the announced GH¢5,500 assistance package.
Mr Ablakwa said all 1,000 Ghanaians on the evacuation list, including minors, had received the full amount. He added that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had not received any complaints concerning alleged shortfalls in payments.
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