Evacuees from South Africa have dismissed claims that some of them did not receive their full reintegration and transport allowances, describing the allegations as false, wicked and politically motivated.
The group, made up of over 1,900 Ghanaians evacuated between May 27 and September 4 this year following xenophobic attacks in that country, addressed a press conference at the International Press Centre in Accra yesterday through their convenor, Michael Addo.
Mr Addo said the evacuees were appalled that the goodwill extended to them had become the centre of unfounded allegations against the government.
"We are appalled, disappointed and embarrassed. It is disgusting to learn, many months later, that the goodwill extended to us as Ghanaians has become the centre of unnecessary and unfounded allegations aimed at the very individuals and government that came to our rescue," he said.
The press conference was called to refute claims by JoyNews and the Minority that some evacuees received only GH¢2,000, or only GH¢500 as transport allowance or GH¢5,000 as reintegration allowance.
Mr Addo insisted that every evacuee received the same package at the airport in full.
"For the avoidance of doubt, each and every one of the over 1,900 of us who returned received the same package at the airport, in full view of the cameras.
We received GH¢5,000 for reintegration, GH¢500 for transportation, a 5 kg bag of rice, cooking oil, a blanket and psychological support.
We were registered with the NHIS free of charge, while AirtelTigo gave us SIM cards," he stated.
According to him, the packages were given to men, women and even infants, with loud announcements made at the airport about the GH¢5,500 package, and evacuees counted their envelopes before leaving.
Demands, allegation
Mr Addo called on a section of the media and the Minority to produce their evidence that some of the evacuees did not receive their package.
"We demand evidence from that one media entity to support the allegation that some people received only GH¢2,000. How is it that such frivolous, wicked and false claims are emerging four long months after our evacuation," he questioned.
Mr Addo alleged that some members of the group had received calls and coaching to speak against the government, but said conscience would not allow them to lie.
"Even if we support the opposition party rather than the government of the day, it is only fair that we state the facts and refuse to allow petty politics to make us liars," he added.
Mr Addo said the constant dragging of their names into political debate was affecting their mental health and reintegration, after losing all their personal belongings in the attacks.
Accountability, appreciation
On accountability, Mr Addo said the Foreign Minister had addressed a press conference on September 7 this year, invited the Auditor-General to audit all evacuations since 2017, submitted reports to Parliament and responded to an RTI request on the GH¢49.72 million expenditure.
The convenor expressed gratitude to President John Dramani Mahama, Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa and Ghana's High Commissioner to South Africa, Benjamin Quashie, for the evacuation.
