Government Declines MTN’s GH¢20 Million Donation for Ghanaian Victims of Xenophobic Attacks

The Government of Ghana has declined a reported GH¢20 million donation from MTN Ghana intended to support Ghanaian victims of recent xenophobic attacks in South Africa.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a press statement issued on Wednesday, August 26, said it had become aware of media reports suggesting that MTN Ghana was preparing to donate.

According to the Ministry, the reports attributed the intended donation to an interview granted by MTN Board Chairman, Dr Ishmael Yamson.

While commending MTN for the gesture, the Government said it had decided not to accept the offer because adequate financial provisions had already been made for the ongoing evacuation and reintegration of affected Ghanaians.

“The Government of Ghana commends MTN for the offer; however, we respectfully decline,” the Ministry stated.

The Ministry explained that the Mahama Administration had made sufficient arrangements to finance the evacuation of Ghanaians from South Africa and support their reintegration upon their return.

It further disclosed that the Government’s position had already been communicated directly to MTN’s leadership when the company’s Board Chairman and Chief Executive Officer called on the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, on August 14, 2026.

The Government nevertheless reaffirmed its commitment to providing humanitarian evacuation and reintegration support to every Ghanaian brought home from harm’s way.

The Ministry said the Government would continue to finance the exercise and provide assistance to returnees as part of measures to help them rebuild their lives in Ghana.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also assured the public that it would provide a comprehensive account of the total cost of the evacuation exercise once it has been completed.

It said the disclosure would be made in the interest of transparency and accountability, amid growing public interest in the government’s expenditure on bringing Ghanaians back from South Africa.

The government has previously indicated that the evacuation exercise has been funded by the state and Ghanaian partners. More than 1,600 Ghanaians had been evacuated from South Africa by August 19, with the second phase of the exercise still ongoing.

The Ministry stressed that the welfare and safety of Ghanaians remain the Government’s utmost priority.

The Foreign Affairs Ministry also sought to make clear that its decision to decline MTN’s offer would not affect the Government’s relationship with international businesses operating in Ghana.

It said the Government would continue to create a favourable business environment for all international brands operating in the country, regardless of the country from which their businesses originated.

The Government’s decision comes against the backdrop of renewed xenophobic attacks in parts of South Africa, which have prompted Ghana to undertake evacuation exercises to protect affected nationals. Ghana has also previously called for stronger continental action against xenophobic attacks.

The Ministry concluded by reiterating that the welfare of all Ghanaians remains the Government’s utmost priority.