Ghana has rejected a GH¢20 million donation from MTN to support citizens affected by the recent wave of xenophobic attacks in South Africa, saying the government already has funds set aside for their evacuation and reintegration.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the decision in a statement on Wednesday, saying the government appreciated MTN’s offer but had decided not to accept the money.
“The Government of Ghana commends MTN for the offer; however, we respectfully decline,” the ministry said.
The government said it had already made adequate financial arrangements to cover the evacuation and reintegration of Ghanaians affected by the violence. More than 1,500 Ghanaian citizens have so far been brought back from South Africa as part of the repatriation exercise.
The first batch of 300 Ghanaians was evacuated in May, followed by another 1,000 in June. Authorities also announced plans last month to repatriate a further 900 citizens affected by the crisis.
Ghanaian authorities said support and care had been made available to citizens returning from South Africa. The ministry added that it would publish a detailed account of the total cost of the evacuation exercise after it is completed.
The ministry said Ghana’s decision had already been communicated to MTN’s board chair and chief executive officer during their meeting with Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa on August 14, 2026.
Despite rejecting the donation, the Ghanaian government said it remained committed to creating a favourable business environment for international companies operating in the country, including MTN, regardless of where their businesses originated.
The latest xenophobic attacks in South Africa have triggered concern across several African countries, with Ghana and Nigeria among those taking steps to evacuate citizens. Nigeria has also continued its own repatriation exercise, with another batch of Nigerians recently arriving home from South Africa.
