The government has declined a GH¢20 million support offer from MTN Ghana for Ghanaians affected by recent xenophobic attacks in South Africa.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the decision was based on the government’s existing financial arrangements for the evacuation and reintegration of affected Ghanaians.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, August 26, the Ministry said the offer followed remarks attributed to MTN Ghana’s Board Chairman, Dr Ishmael Yamson, regarding the company’s intention to provide financial assistance.
“The Government of Ghana commends MTN for the offer; however, we respectfully decline,” the Ministry stated.
It said the government’s position had already been conveyed to Dr Yamson and MTN Ghana’s Chief Executive Officer during a meeting with Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa on August 14.
According to the Ministry, the government, working with local partners, has made sufficient financial arrangements to support the ongoing evacuation and reintegration of Ghanaians returning from South Africa.
It therefore said there was no need to accept the proposed financial contribution from MTN Ghana.
The Ministry further assured that the government would continue to bear the cost of the evacuation exercise and provide reintegration support to Ghanaians brought back from South Africa.
It also pledged to disclose the full cost of the exercise after the evacuations are completed.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs assures that it will present to the general public a comprehensive account of the total cost of evacuations as soon as the exercise is concluded, in the interest of transparency and accountability,” the statement said.
The government also sought to reassure international businesses operating in Ghana that its decision would not affect its approach to foreign companies.
“Government will continue to create the best business ecosystem for all international brands operating in Ghana to succeed, irrespective of which country their businesses originated from,” the Ministry added.
