Ghana rejects MTN’s $1.8 million offer for citizens hit by South Africa xenophobic attacks
Ghana has rejected a GH¢20 million ($1.8 million) donation from MTN Ghana intended to support citizens affected by xenophobic violence in South Africa.
The government says it has already made adequate financial provisions for the evacuation and reintegration of affected Ghanaians.
Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Ministry has pledged to publish the total cost of the evacuation exercise once the operation is completed.
Accra also stressed that the decision would not affect its relationship with MTN or other international companies operating in Ghana.
Clarivox News - Ghana has rejected a GH¢20 million ($1.8 million) offer from MTN Ghana to support citizens affected by recent xenophobic violence in South Africa, saying it has already secured sufficient funding for evacuations and reintegration assistance.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the decision on Wednesday, August 26, following reports that the telecommunications company planned to provide financial support for Ghanaians caught up in the violence.
Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa shared the ministry’s statement on X, clarifying that the government had previously communicated its position to MTN Ghana.
“The Government of Ghana commends MTN for the offer, however, we respectfully decline,” the ministry said.
According to the statement, the government informed MTN Ghana Board Chairman Dr Ishmael Yamson and the company’s chief executive of its decision during a meeting with Ablakwa on August 14.
Why Ghana turned down MTN’s $1.8 million offer
The ministry said President John Mahama’s administration, working with local partners, had made adequate financial provisions for the humanitarian operation and therefore did not require the proposed corporate contribution.
It said the government remained committed to evacuating Ghanaians considered to be at risk in South Africa and providing financial assistance to help those returning home reintegrate.
https://twitter.com/S_OkudzetoAblak/status/2092586921885122640
The government also pledged to disclose how much it spends on the evacuation and reintegration exercise once the operation is completed.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs assures that it will present to the general public a comprehensive account of the total cost of evacuations as soon as the exercise is concluded, in the interest of transparency and accountability,” the statement added.
The rejection of MTN’s offer comes amid renewed concerns over the safety of foreign African nationals in South Africa, where episodes of anti-immigrant violence have periodically strained relations with other countries on the continent.
Ghana moves to reassure MTN and foreign investors
Ghana sought to separate its decision from its broader relationship with MTN and other foreign-owned companies operating in the country. The ministry said declining the contribution should not be interpreted as hostility towards the telecommunications company or international investors.
“Government will continue to create the best business ecosystem for all international brands operating in Ghana to succeed, irrespective of which country their businesses originated from,” it said.
MTN Ghana’s proposed GH¢20 million contribution would have provided additional resources for citizens affected by the violence. However, the government said its existing arrangements were sufficient to cover the evacuation and reintegration programme.
The decision places greater responsibility on the government to demonstrate that those arrangements can adequately meet the needs of affected citizens. Its promised disclosure of the final cost of the operation is expected to provide greater clarity on the scale of public resources committed to the response.
