Xenophobic attacks: MTN Ghana commits GH¢20m to support returnees

MTN Ghana's Pledge

MTN Ghana has committed GH¢20 million to support Ghanaians returning from South Africa following renewed xenophobic attacks. The company's Board Chairman, Dr. Ishmael Yamson, said the intervention is intended to help returnees rebuild their lives and livelihoods rather than provide only short-term relief.

Speaking to Joy News on Thursday, August 20, Dr. Yamson said MTN Ghana initially set aside GH¢10 million to welcome the returnees. He said the company later doubled the amount after realizing that immediate assistance would not adequately address the long-term needs of those affected. According to him, the additional GH¢10 million will be combined with the initial allocation to establish a fund to help the returnees restart their lives.

Dr. Yamson admitted that MTN Ghana should have engaged the Ministry of Foreign Affairs earlier and expressed regret over the delay in rolling out the support. He stressed, however, that the delay should not be interpreted as a lack of concern. "We will do it. We'll do it in a big way. We'll do it in a way that will make more meaning," he said.

He also condemned the attacks and distanced MTN Ghana from the violence: "I condemn it. I completely dissociate MTN Ghana from it. We have nothing to do with it." He acknowledged that the company had been slower than some other corporate organizations in making its intervention public, saying, "It's something that I regret, because we should have moved faster." He commended organizations that had already supported the returnees, including Telecel and the Pentecost Church.

The renewed attacks in South Africa have targeted African migrants, including Ghanaians, with two Ghanaian nationals killed in separate incidents. Ghana has evacuated over 1,000 nationals who felt unsafe.

Government's Response

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has declined the GH¢20 million donation. In a statement issued by Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, the Ministry indicated that while the government commended MTN for the gesture, it was unable to accept the offer. "The Government of Ghana commends MTN for the offer, however, we respectfully decline," the statement said.

The statement followed media reports suggesting that MTN Ghana was preparing to donate GH¢20 million for the victims, with the publications attributing the announcement to the interview granted by Dr. Yamson. According to the ministry, the government had made adequate provision for the ongoing evacuation and reintegration of Ghanaians affected by the attacks and was therefore not in a position to accept the donation.

The Ministry disclosed that the government's position had earlier been conveyed directly to the Board Chairman and the Chief Executive Officer of MTN when they called on the Minister on August 14, 2026. The statement reaffirmed the government's commitment to the humanitarian evacuations and financial support for the reintegration of all Ghanaians brought back from harm's way. It further assured the public that a comprehensive account of the total cost of the evacuation exercise would be presented once concluded, in the interest of transparency and accountability.

The government also affirmed its commitment to continue creating the best business ecosystem for all international brands in Ghana.

As of filing, MTN Ghana had not issued a statement in response to the government's decision, and the proposal remains unconfirmed by independent verification.