The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has asked the Auditor-General to audit how public money was spent on every government-funded emergency evacuation since 2017, including the recent South Africa operation.
In a letter dated 17 September and sighted by AdomOnline, the Ministry asks for an independent review of the financial and administrative arrangements behind evacuations organised for Ghanaians at risk abroad.
The audit is expected to cover at least four operations: the COVID-19 evacuations in 2020, Ukraine in 2022, Sudan in 2023 and South Africa in 2026. The Ministry also asks the Auditor-General to include any other evacuation exercise it considers relevant.
“These evacuation exercises, often executed at short notice, required the Ministry, Ghana Missions and other institutions to make urgent arrangements for transportation, accommodation, logistics, consular assistance, and medical and psychosocial support. Given their scale and complexity and in furtherance of the principles of transparency, accountability and good governance, the Ministry considers it most appropriate to invite the Office of the Auditor-General to conduct an independent special audit of all evacuation exercises,” the letter states.
The Ministry asks for a “distinct assessment of each exercise”, setting out findings, costs, observations and recommendations. Where appropriate, it wants a summary of common issues and measures that could apply across the operations.
It wants the Auditor-General to assess the use of public funds with the emergency circumstances in mind, and to draw lessons that would improve the Ministry’s preparedness and internal controls for future emergencies.
The Ministry has assured the Auditor-General of its full cooperation and says it will make available the relevant financial and administrative records it is able to produce.
Read the full letter below:
