The Government of Ghana has turned down a GHS20 million ($1.8 million) donation offered by MTN Ghana to support citizens affected by recent xenophobic attacks in South Africa.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Wednesday that the government had already made adequate financial arrangements for the evacuation and reintegration of Ghanaians caught up in the violence, making the telecom company’s proposed contribution unnecessary.
Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa explained that the decision was not intended to dismiss MTN Ghana’s gesture, but was based on the government’s existing humanitarian response arrangements.
The ministry said the offer followed remarks by MTN Ghana Board Chairman, Dr Ishmael Yamson, regarding the company’s plan to assist victims of the attacks.
In a statement, the ministry said the government appreciated MTN’s offer but had decided to respectfully decline it.
According to the ministry, the decision had already been communicated to Yamson and MTN Ghana’s Chief Executive Officer during a meeting with the Foreign Affairs Minister on August 14.
The Ghanaian government said it had been coordinating the evacuation of citizens affected by the violence in South Africa while also providing financial assistance to support their reintegration after returning home.
It added that a detailed report on the total cost of the evacuation exercise would be released after its completion as part of efforts to promote transparency and accountability.
The ministry also reassured international companies operating in Ghana that the government remained committed to creating a favourable business environment for foreign investors.
The rejection of the donation comes amid renewed concerns over xenophobic attacks targeting foreign nationals in South Africa, with several African countries taking measures to protect and evacuate their citizens.
MTN Ghana’s proposed GHS20 million intervention would have represented a major corporate contribution to efforts aimed at supporting victims of the crisis. However, the Ghanaian government said it preferred to finance the humanitarian response through its own resources and existing arrangements.
