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The government has declined a GH¢20 million support package reportedly offered by MTN Ghana to assist Ghanaians affected by recent xenophobic attacks in South Africa.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement issued on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, said it had taken note of media reports suggesting that MTN Ghana was preparing to provide GH¢20 million to support Ghanaian victims and returnees affected by the attacks.
The reports attributed the proposed donation to comments made by MTN Ghana Board Chairman, Dr Ishmael Yamson.
While acknowledging and commending MTN Ghana for the offer, the government said it had decided not to accept the support because the John Mahama administration had already made adequate financial arrangements for the ongoing evacuation and reintegration of affected Ghanaians.
“The Government of Ghana commends MTN for the offer, however, we respectfully decline,” the Ministry stated.
According to the Foreign Affairs Ministry, the decision is based on existing government provisions for the evacuation and reintegration exercise.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reaffirms that the Mahama Administration has made adequate provision for ongoing evacuations and reintegration of Ghanaians and is therefore unable to accept this offer,” the statement said.
The Ministry added that the decision had already been communicated directly to Dr Yamson and MTN Ghana’s Chief Executive Officer during a meeting with Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa on August 14, 2026.
Despite declining the MTN Ghana support package, the government stressed that it remains committed to providing financial assistance to Ghanaians being evacuated from areas affected by the violence.
“Meanwhile, the government of Ghana remains fully committed to current humanitarian evacuations and reintegration financial support for every Ghanaian brought back from harm’s way,” the Ministry said.
The government also assured the public that it would publish a comprehensive account of the expenditure incurred during the evacuation exercise once the process is completed.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs assures that it will present to the general public a comprehensive account of the total cost of evacuations as soon as the exercise is concluded, in the interest of transparency and accountability,” it stated.
Government Reaffirms Support for MTN and Other International Businesses
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also used the statement to reaffirm the government’s commitment to creating a favourable business environment for international companies operating in Ghana.
It said the government would continue to support international brands regardless of the country where their businesses originated.
“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,” the Ministry said.
The government further emphasised that the welfare of Ghanaians remains its primary concern.
“The welfare of all Ghanaians remains our utmost priority,” it added.
MTN’s GH¢20m Support Offer
MTN Ghana’s proposed GH¢20 million support package came amid criticism over the company’s initial response to the xenophobic attacks in South Africa.
The criticism was partly linked to MTN Ghana’s connection to a South African-founded multinational group. As reports of attacks intensified, some Ghanaians and Nigerians called for retaliatory action against South African businesses operating in Ghana and Nigeria.
MTN Ghana Board Chairman Dr Ishmael Yamson later acknowledged that the company’s response had been delayed and apologised.
Speaking during an interview with JoyNews on August 23, 2026, Dr Yamson said MTN should have responded earlier to the situation.
“I apologise that we haven’t done that,” he said.
He explained that MTN’s position was consistent with that of the wider corporate sector in South Africa, which had publicly condemned the attacks.
Dr Yamson subsequently disclosed that MTN Ghana’s board had decided to provide financial assistance to Ghanaians returning from South Africa.
According to him, the initial plan was to set aside GH¢10 million to welcome returnees, but the company later decided to double the amount and establish a broader support fund.
The proposed package was therefore increased to GH¢20 million.
The government’s decision to decline the offer means the evacuation and reintegration programme will continue to be financed through government resources.
The Ministry has not disclosed the exact cost of the ongoing exercise but has pledged to make the full expenditure public after the evacuations are completed.
