Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa will face sharp questions on Ghana’s decision to join the BRICS economic bloc and the GH¢49.7 million spent evacuating citizens from South Africa when he appears on JoyNews’ Newsfile on Saturday, October 17.
The minister’s interview with host Samson Lardy Anyenini will focus on two issues that have stirred debate about Ghana’s foreign policy and government spending. The Cabinet approved Ghana’s application to join BRICS, a group of emerging economies including Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. Mr Ablakwa announced the decision at a joint press conference with India’s External Affairs Minister, Dr S. Jaishankar, in Accra on October 6.
“BRICS offers us that opportunity to have options in our development agenda, and you want to have options,” Mr Ablakwa said then. He explained Ghana’s aim to diversify international partnerships and expand trade, investment, and economic cooperation. He added the government seeks sustainable economic growth, industrialisation, and greater control over natural resources, moving away from exporting raw materials.
Dr Jaishankar welcomed Ghana’s interest but noted that the decision requires collective approval from BRICS members. The move has drawn scrutiny from the Minority in Parliament. Samuel Abu Jinapor, the Ranking Member on Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, questioned why Ghana pursues full membership instead of a partner-country status like Nigeria’s.
The second issue involves the GH¢49,721,786 spent to evacuate 1,964 Ghanaians from South Africa after xenophobic attacks. The government contributed GH¢33.7 million, while Engineers and Planners, owned by businessman Ibrahim Mahama, donated GH¢16 million. Each evacuee received GH¢5,000 as a reintegration grant and GH¢500 for travel and transportation.
Mr Ablakwa defended the cost, saying, “The lives protected and the dignity of Ghanaians far outweighs the cost.” However, the Minority has demanded a detailed cost breakdown, including per-evacuee expenditure. They boycotted a planned briefing by the minister, forcing the Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman, Dr Alfred Okoe Vanderpuije, to reschedule.
The Majority Caucus defended the spending, insisting no public funds are missing. Dr Vanderpuije confirmed the Ministry submitted a report with receipts and documentation covering the evacuation. Mr Ablakwa has also requested an independent audit of evacuation exercises by past governments since 2017.
Newsfile airs at 8:00am on Saturday, October 17, on Joy 99.7 FM, JoyNews, and other platforms. This interview will be one of the first opportunities for the public to hear detailed explanations on these contentious issues from the Foreign Affairs Minister himself.
According to Joy Online.
