The Government of Ghana has declined a GH¢20 million support package offered by MTN Ghana to assist Ghanaian nationals affected by renewed xenophobic attacks in South Africa.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a press statement issued on Wednesday, August 26, said the government had already made adequate financial provisions for the ongoing evacuation and reintegration of Ghanaians returning from South Africa.
The Government of Ghana commends MTN for the offer, however, we respectfully decline,” the Ministry stated.
According to the Ministry, the government’s decision had already been communicated to MTN’s Board Chairman, Dr Ishmael Yamson, and Chief Executive Officer when they met the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, on August 14, 2026.
The Ministry said the Mahama administration remained fully committed to providing humanitarian and financial support to Ghanaians evacuated from South Africa.
It added that the government would publish a comprehensive account of the total cost of the evacuation exercise once it was concluded, as part of efforts to ensure transparency and accountability.
MTN’s GH¢20m intervention
MTN Ghana announced earlier this week that it had committed GH¢20 million to support Ghanaians returning from South Africa following the renewed xenophobic attacks.
The company’s Board Chairman, Dr Ishmael Yamson, explained that MTN initially set aside GH¢10 million to welcome the returnees but subsequently doubled the amount after determining that longer-term support would be more beneficial.
The additional funding was intended to establish a support fund to help affected Ghanaians rebuild their livelihoods rather than provide only immediate relief.
Dr Yamson had also acknowledged that MTN Ghana should have engaged the Ministry of Foreign Affairs earlier on the intervention.
Background to the evacuations
Ghana’s evacuation exercise followed a resurgence of xenophobic attacks against African migrants in parts of South Africa in 2026.
The violence particularly affected migrant communities amid activities by anti-immigration groups, including Operation Dudula and other civic groups. The attacks created fear and insecurity among Ghanaians living in affected areas, prompting the government to evacuate nationals who felt unsafe and wished to return home.
Ghana has since undertaken several rounds of evacuations. On August 17, for instance, the government received the 11th batch of 87 Ghanaian evacuees under the second phase of the exercise. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the government was committed to supporting their successful reintegration into their communities.
The government has also been working on reintegration measures, including linking returnees to employment, entrepreneurship and skills-development opportunities. According to the Ghana News Agency, about 200 employment opportunities had been secured through partnerships with private-sector organisations, including a commitment by Engineers and Planners Limited to provide 100 positions.
Government assures international businesses
Despite declining the donation, the Ministry stressed that the decision should not be interpreted as hostility towards MTN or other international companies operating in Ghana.
It said the government would continue to create a favourable business environment for international brands, regardless of their country of origin.
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 stated.
It added that the welfare of Ghanaians remained the government’s “utmost priority.”
The government has therefore reaffirmed that it will continue to finance the humanitarian evacuation and reintegration programme while providing the public with a full account of expenditure at the end of the exercise.
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