​Ghana Rejects MTN’s $1.8M Xenophobia Relief Fund

​ACCRA — The Government of Ghana has officially declined a GHS20 million (approximately $1.8 million) financial intervention proposed by telecom giant MTN Ghana to assist citizens displaced by violent xenophobic attacks in South Africa.

​In an official statement released on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs acknowledged the gesture but maintained that the administration of President John Mahama has already secured adequate budgetary provisions to fully underwrite the ongoing emergency evacuations and subsequent reintegration programs.

​Pre-empting Public Backlash

​The telecommunications titan’s relief package—initially floated following media disclosures attributed to MTN Ghana Board Chairman Dr. Ishmael Yamson—sparked intense national debate. Critics had questioned the timing and optics of the donation, noting the corporate entity’s deep-rooted South African heritage amid mounting public pressure over slow initial responses to the safety crisis.

​However, Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa clarified that the state’s decision was communicated directly to Dr. Yamson and the MTN executive leadership during a closed-door meeting as early as August 14.

ADVERTISEMENT

​Commitment to Transparency

​The Ministry emphasized that turning down the corporate funds does not signal hostility toward foreign enterprises. Instead, the government reiterated its dedication to maintaining a stable, supportive business environment for all international brands operating within its borders.

​To reinforce public trust, the Mahama administration pledged to release a comprehensive, itemized account detailing the total expenditure of the evacuation exercise once operations conclude.

​”The welfare of all Ghanaians remains our utmost priority, and the state has mobilized sufficient domestic resources to bring every citizen back from harm’s way,” the Ministry noted.