The Ghanaian government has turned down a GHS20 million ($1.8 million) donation from MTN Ghana to support citizens affected by recent xenophobic attacks in South Africa.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Wednesday that the Mahama administration had already provided enough funds for the evacuation and reintegration of affected Ghanaians. It therefore saw no need to accept the telecom company’s offer.
Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa said the decision was not a rejection of MTN’s gesture, but a result of arrangements already in place to manage the humanitarian response.
The ministry said reports about the donation followed comments by MTN Ghana Board Chairman, Dr. Ishmael Yamson, on the company’s planned contribution.
“Government of Ghana commends MTN for the offer. However, we respectfully decline,” the ministry said in a statement.
According to the ministry, the decision had already been communicated to Yamson and MTN Chief Executive Officer during a meeting with Ablakwa on August 14.
Ghana said it had been helping citizens caught up in the violence to leave South Africa and had also been providing financial support for their reintegration after returning home.
The ministry said it would publish a full account of the evacuation cost after the exercise is completed, stressing its commitment to transparency and accountability.
“The government will continue to create the best business ecosystem for all international brands operating in Ghana to succeed, irrespective of which country their businesses originated from,” it stated.
The rejection comes as Ghana and other African countries respond to attacks on foreign nationals in South Africa, raising concerns about the safety of African migrants and businesses.
MTN Ghana’s proposed GHS20 million donation would have been among the biggest corporate responses to the crisis. However, the government said it would rely on its own funding and arrangements with local partners.
