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The Ghanaian government has turned down a GHS20 million support offer from MTN Ghana intended to assist citizens affected by renewed xenophobic attacks in South Africa, saying it has already made adequate financial provisions for their evacuation and reintegration.
Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs disclosed the decision in a statement issued in Accra on Tuesday, explaining that the government’s position had already been communicated to MTN’s Board Chairman and Chief Executive Officer during a meeting with Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa on August 14, 2026.
Government Cites Existing Evacuation Provisions
The ministry said its decision was based on the government’s existing arrangements for supporting Ghanaians being brought back from South Africa.
While acknowledging MTN’s offer, the government stressed that accepting the money was unnecessary because resources had already been allocated to cover the ongoing evacuation and reintegration programme.
The ministry described the decision as one of government responsibility rather than a rejection of MTN or its role in Ghana.
It also commended the telecommunications company for making the offer.
Ghana Promises Accountability Over Evacuation Costs
Alongside rejecting the donation, the Foreign Affairs Ministry pledged to publish a detailed account of the cost of the evacuation exercise after it is completed.
The government said the disclosure would provide the public with information on the resources spent on bringing affected citizens home and supporting their reintegration.
The commitment comes as Ghana continues to manage the humanitarian and diplomatic consequences of renewed attacks against African migrants in South Africa.
About 1,600 Ghanaians Evacuated
The latest development follows weeks of evacuation efforts triggered by renewed xenophobic attacks in South Africa.
Ghana had warned its citizens against non-essential travel to South Africa from June 1 and subsequently began repatriation efforts.
The first phase brought approximately 300 Ghanaians home, while the wider operation was initially expected to involve around 800 citizens.
By August 18, however, Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the number of Ghanaians evacuated from South Africa had risen to about 1,600.
MTN Businesses Face Pressure Amid Tensions
The violence has also created pressure for South African-linked businesses operating elsewhere on the continent.
MTN Group Chief Executive Officer Ralph Mupita had previously warned against calls to boycott pan-African companies as tensions surrounding the attacks spread into countries including Ghana and Nigeria.
MTN Group Chairman Mcebisi Jonas also attributed the xenophobic tensions to failures by the South African state and cautioned against judging individuals based on their nationality.
The company’s offer of financial support to Ghanaian victims therefore came against a backdrop of heightened scrutiny of South African businesses across the continent.
Government Reassures International Businesses
Despite declining the donation, Ghana’s government sought to make clear that the decision would not affect MTN’s operations in the country.
The Foreign Affairs Ministry said the government would continue working to provide a favourable business environment for international companies operating in Ghana, regardless of their country of origin.
This reassurance is significant for MTN, one of Ghana’s major telecommunications operators, as the diplomatic fallout from the South African attacks continues to generate public and political attention.
Nigeria Also Conducted Evacuations
Ghana is not the only West African country to have responded to the violence.
Nigerians were also among foreign nationals affected by the attacks, with reports of deaths, damaged businesses and citizens seeking assistance during the unrest.
The Nigerian government subsequently organised an emergency evacuation programme for citizens who wished to return home.
By July 15, Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu said more than 1,500 Nigerians had been evacuated from South Africa, including 308 people transported on the final government-sponsored flight.
The Ghanaian government’s decision ultimately underscores the sensitivity surrounding corporate assistance during a regional crisis, with Accra choosing to rely on its own evacuation provisions while assuring MTN and other international companies that their investments remain welcome.
