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.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced that its newly established Passport Application Centres (PACs) in seven regions without previous passport application facilities have already issued 13,098 chip-embedded passports.

The development forms part of efforts by the Ministry to decentralise passport services and reduce the burden on citizens who previously had to travel long distances to other regions to apply for or obtain their passports.

The seven new PACs are located in Bolgatanga, Nalerigu, Damongo, Techiman, Dambai, Goaso and Sefwi Wiawso, serving residents across the Upper East, Ahafo, Bono East, North East, Oti, Savannah and Western North Regions.

According to figures released by the Ministry, Techiman recorded the highest number of passports issued, with 4,578, followed by Bolgatanga with 2,784.

Sefwi Wiawso has issued 2,174 passports, while Goaso has recorded 1,931 applications.

The other centres have also contributed to the total, with Dambai issuing 780 passports, Damongo 443 and Nalerigu 408.

The Ministry said the establishment of the seven centres has made a significant difference for residents in the affected regions, who previously had to undertake inconvenient journeys to other parts of the country to access passport services.

The decentralisation is expected to make the passport application process more accessible, particularly for citizens living far from Ghana’s traditional passport application centres.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that without the new PACs, thousands of residents in the seven regions would continue to make long and costly trips to other regions whenever they needed passport services.

The initiative is therefore being presented as part of the Ministry’s broader effort to improve public service delivery and make essential services more accessible to Ghanaians.

The Ministry’s message accompanying the figures was “Resetting & Serving you Better,” signalling its commitment to improving the delivery of passport services nationwide.

The Centre for Policy Scrutiny (CPS) has backed calls for an independent investigation into the reported US$1.7 billion losses associated with Ghana’s Domestic Gold Purchase Programme (DGPP).

In a press release, the Centre described the reported loss, estimated at approximately GH¢22 billion, as a matter of significant public interest requiring a comprehensive examination of the programme, its implementation and the financial exposure arising from it.

The CPS said it supports calls by concerned Ghanaians and various groups for an independent inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the reported losses.

The Centre also took note of a fresh motion filed by the Minority in Parliament seeking an investigation into the matter.

According to the CPS, it welcomes the initiative and supports Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin’s call for the establishment of an Ad Hoc Committee to investigate the reported losses.

The Centre said the proposed inquiry must establish the exact nature and source of the reported losses. It wants the investigation to examine the transactions that generated the losses, the institutions involved, the financing arrangements underpinning the programme and the basis upon which the reported figures were calculated.

The CPS further called for a detailed examination of the respective roles played by the Bank of Ghana (BoG) and GoldBod in the implementation of the Domestic Gold Purchase Programme.

It said the investigation should determine how the responsibilities, financial exposures and transactions of the two institutions were accounted for in relation to the programme.

Beyond establishing the reported financial loss, the Centre wants Parliament to assess whether the DGPP has delivered value that is commensurate with the resources committed to it.

It also wants the broader impact of the programme on Ghana’s foreign-exchange reserves and public finances to be examined.

The Centre for Policy Scrutiny stressed that any investigation must be transparent, evidence-based and bipartisan.

It said the proposed committee should rely on audited accounts, transaction records, contracts and other relevant documentation to establish the facts surrounding the reported losses.

According to the CPS, the parliamentary process presents an important opportunity to resolve competing claims about the reported US$1.7 billion losses and strengthen accountability in the management of Ghana’s gold and foreign-exchange resources.

The Centre is urging Parliament to proceed with the investigation and ensure that its eventual findings provide clear answers to four key questions: what happened, why it happened, who bears responsibility, and what measures are required to prevent a recurrence.

The CPS also raised concerns about the current design of the Domestic Gold Purchase Programme, describing it as “too generous” and arguing that this makes losses inevitable.

The Centre therefore recommended a redesign of the programme to minimise costs and optimise its benefits, warning that the marginal benefits of the programme will not remain positive indefinitely.

The press release was signed by Dr Adu Owusu Sarkodie, Executive Director of the Centre for Policy Scrutiny.

Press Release – CPS BACKS CALLS FOR INVESTIGATION INTO REPORTED $1.7BN DGPP LOSSES

The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has announced his decision to withdraw from the party’s upcoming national elections.

In a statement dated August 24, 2026, Chairman Wontumi said the decision followed several nights of prayer, sober reflection and consultations with his family, legal team, party elders, campaign team and trusted supporters.

He described the decision as painful, saying his personal circumstances should not become an additional burden on the NPP at a time when the party is working to rebuild following its electoral defeat.

“There are moments in the life of a man when the heart wants to continue, but duty demands sacrifice,” he said, adding that he had reached a point where he had to put aside his personal ambition to protect the party he considers his political family.

According to Chairman Wontumi, his decision was not motivated by a loss of interest in the NPP or its cause. Rather, he said he did not want his current situation to distract the party from what he described as the difficult work of rebuilding and preparing for the political battle ahead.

He recalled his years of service to the party, saying he had travelled to remote communities and stood with the NPP’s grassroots supporters in both victory and defeat.

He said he had served the party with his voice, strength, resources and entire heart, describing the NPP as more than a political organisation to him.

“The NPP is not merely a political party to me. It is my family. It is my home. It is a cause to which I have dedicated a significant part of my life,” he stated.

Chairman Wontumi acknowledged the disappointment his withdrawal could cause among his supporters across all 16 regions.

He said many supporters had opened their homes and hearts to him, travelled long distances to meet him and continued to support him even during difficult and dangerous periods.

He also acknowledged supporters who, according to him, had cried, fasted and prayed for him, as well as those who had endured ridicule, intimidation and personal attacks because of their belief in him.

He assured them that he remained aware of their support and prayers, saying his current circumstances could restrict his physical movement but could not sever his connection with them or weaken his faith in God.

Wontumi also expressed gratitude to his campaign team, coordinators, constituency and regional executives, Members of Parliament, former government appointees, communicators, electoral-area coordinators, polling-station executives, youth and women’s groups, volunteer movements and members of the diaspora.

He said their sacrifices, encouragement and prayers would remain with him.

Despite withdrawing from the NPP national elections, Chairman Wontumi insisted that his decision should not be interpreted as surrender.

He maintained that he remained committed to the pursuit of truth and justice and said he continued to believe that justice would prevail at the appointed time.

“I have not surrendered, and I will never surrender in the pursuit of truth and justice,” he said.

He explained that his decision was intended to prevent his personal circumstances from becoming a source of distraction, division or additional pressure on the NPP.

He further reminded his supporters that no individual, including himself, was bigger than the party.

Chairman Wontumi appealed to his supporters not to allow their disappointment over his situation to affect their commitment to the NPP.

He specifically urged them not to insult anyone in his name, attack any aspirant because of him or abandon the party because he was going through what he described as a difficult season.

“If you truly love me, then remain loyal to the tradition I have spent my life serving,” he said.

A major part of Chairman Wontumi’s message was his appeal to NPP supporters to remain firmly behind the party’s leader, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.

He said Dr Bawumia needed the prayers, loyalty and total support of party members as he worked to rebuild the NPP.

According to him, the party’s leader could not rebuild the organisation alone and would require the collective efforts of constituencies, polling-station executives, communicators, young people and other committed members of the party.

He therefore urged NPP members to put aside bitterness and close their ranks to create a united, disciplined and formidable party capable of returning to power.

“Whatever pain we feel today must never be allowed to destroy the greater battle ahead,” he said.

Chairman Wontumi said his withdrawal represents only one chapter in his life and not the end of his political journey.

He thanked those who had stood by him and prayed for him, while also saying he held no bitterness towards people who disagreed with him.

He reaffirmed his loyalty and continued service to the NPP, describing his withdrawal as a painful pause rather than a goodbye.

“This is not goodbye. It is not the end of the journey. It is only a painful pause in a much greater story that God Himself is still writing,” he stated.

He encouraged his supporters to remain strong, united and loyal to the NPP and to continue supporting Dr Bawumia.

Chairman Wontumi concluded by saying that although his body may be confined, his heart remains with his supporters and the party.

He expressed hope that, if it was the will of God, he would meet his supporters again “not in sorrow, but in joy; not in defeat, but in victory.”

“The battle is still the Lord’s,” he said.

The statement was signed on his behalf by Ewuradjoa Coleman, Director of Communications & Media.

STATEMENT ON THE NPP NATIONAL ELECTIONS

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has accused the government of attempting to divert public attention from the reported US$1.7 billion loss under the Domestic Gold Purchase Programme by attacking individuals demanding accountability.

Speaking to journalists on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, the NPP National Organiser said that instead of providing detailed responses to questions raised by the Parliamentary Minority, government officials had resorted to insults and personal attacks.

He specifically criticised Sammy Gyamfi, whom he accused of having a record of making false claims and using political attacks to divert attention from substantive issues.

The NPP official cited several previous controversies involving claims allegedly made by Gyamfi, including a 2020 allegation concerning a purported US$40,000 bribe involving former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

He argued that the allegation was later challenged after the full footage showed that the money was a campaign donation in Ghana cedis made in 2016, before Akufo-Addo became president.

He also cited claims concerning the ownership of a company known as UPTOWN, alleging that fact-checking and company records did not establish ownership links to then-Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.

The NPP organiser further referred to a 2021 parliamentary controversy in which Gyamfi criticised members of the NDC parliamentary leadership over their voting decisions, arguing that the episode demonstrated what he described as a pattern of political attacks.

He said the government’s response to the US$1.7 billion issue should have been based on documents and evidence rather than insults.

He also criticised the use of the Jubilee House platform for attacks on elected Minority representatives, arguing that the Presidency belongs to all Ghanaians and should be used to promote accountability and decorum.

According to him, the central question remains unresolved: how did Ghana incur a reported US$1.7 billion loss under the Domestic Gold Purchase Programme?

He said attempts to shift the debate toward personalities would not stop the NPP from demanding answers.

The party has therefore thrown its full support behind the Minority Caucus, led by Alexander Afenyo-Markin, and urged the caucus to use parliamentary questions, committee hearings, requests for documents and other lawful procedures to pursue the matter.

The NPP National Organiser said the party would continue pressing for answers until the circumstances surrounding the reported loss are fully explained and subjected to public scrutiny.