We rejected MTN’s GH¢20m donation to protect Ghana’s dignity – NDC communicator

An NDC communicator has defended the government’s decision to reject MTN Ghana’s proposed GH¢20 million support package for Ghanaians affected by xenophobic attacks in South Africa, arguing that accepting the money could have undermined Ghana’s dignity and diplomatic position.

The government’s decision to decline the offer sparked public debate, with some questioning why Ghana would turn down substantial corporate assistance at a time when citizens were being evacuated from a difficult situation in South Africa.

However, supporters of the decision have argued that the move was about more than money — it was about the principle of protecting Ghanaian citizens and ensuring that responsibility for the crisis does not shift away from the South African authorities.

Government says funds were already available

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has maintained that the government rejected the offer because it had already made adequate financial arrangements for the ongoing evacuation and reintegration of affected Ghanaians.

In a statement issued on August 26, the Ministry said it appreciated MTN Ghana’s gesture but could not accept it because government resources had already been secured for the humanitarian exercise.

The Ministry further disclosed that the government’s position had already been communicated directly to MTN Ghana’s Board Chairman, Dr Ishmael Yamson, and the company’s Chief Executive Officer during their meeting with Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa on August 14.

MTN had proposed GH¢20m support package

MTN Ghana Board Chairman Dr Ishmael Yamson had earlier disclosed that the company initially set aside GH¢10 million to welcome Ghanaians returning from South Africa.

The company later decided to double the amount to GH¢20 million and establish a fund aimed at providing longer-term support to affected returnees as they rebuilt their lives in Ghana.

Yamson also acknowledged that MTN should have engaged the Ministry of Foreign Affairs earlier before publicly discussing the planned intervention.

‘This is about Ghana’s dignity’

Defending the government’s position, the NDC communicator argued that Ghana could not allow the situation to be reduced to a question of receiving money from a company with strong links to South Africa.

The communicator’s position is that accepting the donation could have weakened Ghana’s diplomatic posture at a time when Accra was demanding meaningful action to address recurring xenophobic attacks against African nationals in South Africa.

A similar argument has been made by international relations analyst Dr Ishmael Hlovor, who said rejecting the money could help Ghana sustain diplomatic pressure on South Africa to address the underlying causes of xenophobic attacks.

According to Dr Hlovor, accepting the support could potentially allow South African authorities and businesses to portray themselves as helping victims without addressing the deeper responsibility for preventing the attacks.

Government promises transparency

Despite declining MTN’s offer, the Foreign Affairs Ministry has stressed that the government remains committed to financing the evacuation and reintegration of affected Ghanaians.

It has also promised to publish a comprehensive account of the total cost of the evacuation exercise once it is completed, saying the disclosure will promote transparency and accountability.

The government has further reaffirmed that it remains committed to creating a favourable business environment for international companies operating in Ghana, regardless of where their parent companies originate.

A debate bigger than GH¢20 million

The controversy surrounding the rejected donation has therefore developed into a broader debate about Ghana’s diplomatic posture, corporate responsibility and the dignity of the state.

While critics may argue that GH¢20 million could have provided valuable assistance to affected Ghanaians, supporters of the government’s decision believe the country must be careful not to allow financial assistance to overshadow the larger demand for accountability and lasting solutions to xenophobic attacks.

For the NDC communicator, the rejection was therefore not simply about turning down money.

It was about sending a message that Ghana’s dignity, sovereignty and the protection of its citizens must remain paramount.