Ibrahim Mahama’s company contributed GH¢16 million to evacuate Ghanaians from South Africa
Businessman Ibrahim Mahama’s Engineers and Planners contributed GH¢16 million towards the evacuation of Ghanaians from South Africa following renewed xenophobic attacks and concerns over the safety of foreign nationals.
The contribution formed part of the financing for an emergency evacuation exercise that brought 1,964 Ghanaians back home between May 27 and September 4, 2026.
Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa disclosed the figures during a press briefing in Accra on Monday, September 7, while providing an account of the evacuation exercise and its financial implications.
According to the minister, the entire operation cost GH¢49,721,786. The government financed GH¢33,721,786, while Engineers and Planners, owned by Ibrahim Mahama, provided the additional GH¢16 million.
Ablakwa commended Ibrahim Mahama and Engineers and Planners for supporting the exercise, describing the contribution as an important intervention towards protecting and assisting Ghanaian nationals affected by the deteriorating security situation in parts of South Africa.
The evacuation exercise involved both chartered and commercial flights, as well as ground transportation, accommodation, feeding and medical support for returning nationals.
A total of GH¢38,835,512 was spent on chartered flights, air tickets, transportation, feeding, hotel accommodation in South Africa, medical services and hospitalisation.
Another GH¢10,802,000 was allocated to reintegration and transportation allowances, while GH¢84,274 was used to repatriate the remains of two Ghanaians who died during the crisis.
Each returning Ghanaian also received a GH¢5,000 reintegration grant and a GH¢500 transportation allowance to assist with their immediate needs after arriving in the country.
The returnees further received support including medical screening, National Health Insurance registration, food packages and assistance with communication.
The government said psychological and trauma counselling services were also made available to help evacuees cope with their experiences and reintegrate into their communities.
The evacuation became necessary following a deterioration in the security situation in parts of South Africa, particularly amid renewed anti-foreigner sentiment and intimidation targeting African nationals.
The first flight departed South Africa on May 27 and prioritised vulnerable people, including children, women, elderly persons and those who were sick. Ghana was reported to be the first country to begin evacuating its nationals from South Africa in response to the crisis.
Ablakwa said the full evacuation cost had been settled, with no outstanding liabilities.
The disclosure of the GH¢16 million contribution has highlighted the role of private-sector support in complementing government resources during an emergency involving the safety and welfare of Ghanaian nationals abroad.
Ibrahim Mahama’s contribution also comes alongside other forms of assistance he has reportedly offered to Ghanaians returning from South Africa, including employment opportunities for some evacuees.
The evacuation exercise has now provided government and other stakeholders with an opportunity to assess the support required by returning nationals as they rebuild their lives in Ghana.
Source: Thepressradio.com
