GHANA has rejected a GH¢20 million (N2.4 billion) support package offered by telecommunications giant MTN to assist citizens affected by the latest wave of xenophobic attacks in South Africa, months after Nigeria accepted cash and other assistance from the company for Nigerians evacuated from the country.
Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on Wednesday, August 26, said the government declined the offer because it had already made adequate financial provisions for the evacuation and reintegration of Ghanaian citizens affected by the violence.
“The Government of Ghana commends MTN for the offer; however, we respectfully decline,” the ministry said in a statement on Wednesday.
The ministry said the decision had earlier been conveyed to MTN’s board chair and chief executive officer when they met with Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, on August 14.
Ghana said it remained committed to funding the humanitarian response for its citizens repatriated from South Africa and would continue to provide financial support for their reintegration.
It also said it would publish a comprehensive account of the cost of the evacuation exercise once it is concluded.
Nigeria accepts offer
The decision contrasts with Nigeria’s response to MTN’s intervention following the evacuation of Nigerians from South Africa.
When the first batch of 258 Nigerians arrived in Lagos in June, MTN provided each returnee with N100,000 cash and N50,000 worth of airtime, as well as starter packs and phones.
The support was announced by the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, during the reception of the returnees.
“MTN is here. We have been working with them. They are going to transfer N100,000 to your accounts each, and they are also going to give N50,000 airtime each with starter packs and phones for you to use when you get home,” Dabiri-Erewa said.
The ICIR also reports that private individuals have been involved in funding the evacuation of Nigerians from South Africa following the attacks. This organisation reported on Wednesday, August 26, that an additional 67 Nigerians were repatriated from the country, with funding provided by private individuals.
Each of the returnees were given N50,000 after arriving at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, via South African Airways.
Eighty-three Nigerians were previously repatriated with the support of the philanthropic group.
Backstory
The ICIR reports that the evacuations followed a renewed wave of anti-foreigner protests and attacks in South Africa, where migrants from other African countries were increasingly being targeted by South Africans.
The latest unrest was driven in part by anti-immigrant groups campaigning against undocumented migrants and demanding that foreigners leave parts of the country.
The attacks have triggered concern among African governments as reports of threats, intimidation, attacks and displacement involving foreign nationals increased. Nigeria and Ghana were among the countries that subsequently moved to evacuate citizens who wanted to leave the country.
Other African governments, including those of Malawi, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Lesotho and Mozambique, also issued warnings to their citizens or took measures to facilitate their return as tensions escalated.
Nigerians killed amid fresh attacks
Nigeria’s response intensified after the deaths of two Nigerians in South Africa during the latest crisis.
The Federal Government identified the victims as Amaramiro Emmanuel and Ekpenyong Andrew and raised concerns over the circumstances surrounding their deaths.
Nigerian authorities condemned the incidents and expressed concern about the safety of citizens living in South Africa.
The Federal Government subsequently organised a voluntary evacuation programme for Nigerians in South Africa.
The exercise eventually brought back over 1,000 Nigerians from the country.
The first batch of 258 returnees arrived in Lagos aboard a specially chartered Air Peace flight in June.
Ghana evacuated citizens before Nigeria
Ghana evacuated its first batch of citizens from South Africa in May, while Nigeria carried out its first repatriation in June.
By August, Ghanaian authorities said more than 1,500 Ghanaian citizens had been evacuated from South Africa.
Ghana said it had already made financial arrangements to take care of the citizens returning from South Africa, including support for their reintegration.
Mustapha Usman is an investigative journalist with the International Centre for Investigative Reporting. You can easily reach him via: musman@icirnigeria.com. He tweets @UsmanMustapha_M