Ghana rejects MTN’s GHS20 million donation for xenophobia victims

The Government of Ghana has declined an offer from MTN Ghana to donate GHS20 million for Ghanaian victims of xenophobic attacks in South Africa.

The government said the Mahama administration has already made adequate provision for the ongoing evacuations and reintegration of its citizens.

Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs disclosed the rejection in a press statement issued on Tuesday in Accra.

It said the government’s position had been communicated directly to MTN’s Board Chairman and CEO during a meeting with Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa on August 14, 2026.

What the ministry is saying

The ministry said it has become aware of media reports suggesting MTN Ghana was preparing to make the donation, which appeared to be linked to an interview granted by MTN Board Chairman Dr. Ishmael Yamson.

The ministry commended MTN for the gesture while making clear the government would not accept it, framing the rejection as a matter of state responsibility rather than any criticism of the company.

• “The Government of Ghana commends MTN for the offer, however, we respectfully decline,” the statement read.
• “The Mahama Administration has made adequate provision for ongoing evacuations and reintegration of Ghanaians and is therefore unable to accept this offer,” the ministry added.

On transparency around the cost of the evacuation exercise, the ministry pledged a full public accounting once the operation concludes.

• “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,” the statement said.

The ministry also signalled that the rejection carried no implications for MTN’s operating environment in…