The Minority in Parliament has called on Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa to resign over allegations that some Ghanaians evacuated from South Africa received less than the GH¢5,500 support package announced by the government.

The Minority has also urged President John Dramani Mahama to dismiss the Minister if he refuses to step down, insisting that the allegations require accountability and an independent investigation.

The demand was made by the Ranking Member on Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, Samuel Abdulai Jinapor, at a press conference in Parliament on Tuesday, October 27, 2026.

Mr Jinapor also called for a comprehensive independent audit of the evacuation exercise by an internationally reputable accounting firm to establish whether all beneficiaries received the full amounts announced by the government.

“Given the gravity of these revelations and in order to ensure an impartial investigation into the matter, we call on the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Honourable Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, to resign immediately. His handling of this exercise has brought his high office into disrepute,” he said.

The Minority argued that the Minister must accept responsibility in accordance with Section 2.1(j) of President Mahama’s 2025 Code of Conduct and Ethics for Political Appointees, which Mr Jinapor said requires a Minister to resign where their actions or leadership result in significant failure, corruption or a breach of public trust.

He further urged the President to terminate Mr Ablakwa’s appointment if he declines to resign, citing Article 81(a) of the 1992 Constitution.

“The President must demonstrate that the standards he has set for his appointees have consequences when public confidence in their stewardship has been seriously undermined,” Mr Jinapor added.

The Minority’s demand follows reports that at least three individuals contacted from the evacuation list claimed they received GH¢2,000 instead of the GH¢5,500 announced as support for returnees.

However, Mr Ablakwa has rejected the allegations, maintaining that all 1,000 Ghanaians on the evacuation list, including minors, received the full package.

According to the Minister, the support comprised GH¢5,000 in reintegration assistance and GH¢500 for transportation.

Speaking to members of the Ghanaian community in Ottawa, Canada, during an official working visit, Mr Ablakwa said his Ministry had not received any complaints about payment shortfalls since the evacuation exercise began more than four months ago.

He also maintained that no concerns had been raised at the airport regarding missing envelopes or payments below the announced amount.

The conflicting accounts have prompted calls for an independent examination of the payments to establish whether all beneficiaries received the full support package.

While the Minority is demanding the Minister’s resignation and an independent audit, Mr Ablakwa insists that the government fulfilled its commitment to the evacuated Ghanaians.