Ghana rejects MTN’s GH¢20m support for xenophobia victims

n n

The Ghanaian government has declined a proposed GH¢20m (approximately ₦2.4 billion) donation from MTN Ghana to support citizens affected by recent xenophobic attacks in South Africa.

n

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement posted by Foreign Minister Samuel Ablakwa on Wednesday, said it had become aware of media reports that MTN Ghana was preparing the donation for Ghanaian victims of the attacks.

n

“The media publications seem to attribute the announcement of this intended GHS20million donation to an interview granted by the highly regarded MTN Board Chairman, Dr. Ishmael Yamson.

n

“The Government of Ghana commends MTN for the offer, however, we respectfully decline,” the ministry said.

n

It added the Mahama administration had made adequate provision for the ongoing evacuation and reintegration of Ghanaians and was therefore unable to accept the offer.

n

According to the ministry, the government’s position had earlier been conveyed directly to Yamson and MTN Chief Executive Officer when they visited Ablakwa, on August 14, 2026.

n

“Meanwhile, the Government of Ghana remains fully committed to current humanitarian evacuations and reintegration financial support for every Ghanaian brought back from harm’s way.

n

“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 said.

n

The government’s decision followed media reports, including one from MyJoyOnline on August 24, which quoted the MTN board chairman as saying the company initially planned to spend GH¢10m on welcoming returnees but later decided to establish a fund with an additional GH¢10m to support their longer-term reintegration.

n

The report also said Yamson acknowledged that MTN Ghana should have engaged the Ministry of Foreign Affairs earlier on the initiative.

n

However, PUNCH Online cannot independently confirm the proposal.

n

MTN Ghana had not issued a statement on the matter as of the time of filing this report.

n

The development comes against the backdrop of renewed xenophobic attacks targeting African migrants in South Africa, including Ghanaians, and government-led evacuation efforts.

n

In Nigeria, MTN previously supported Nigerians evacuated from South Africa amid xenophobic attacks.

n

The telecommunication company donated free SIM packs with data worth ₦50,000 to returnees and pledged to pay ₦100,000 into the bank accounts of all returnees.

n n