NPP’s ‘Yegyeyɛ sika’ demo underway in Accra (Photos+Video)

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has begun its “Yɛgyɛ Yɛ Sika” demonstration to demand a refund from Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa over funds spent on the evacuation of Ghanaians from South Africa.

The protesters, dressed in black and red and holding placards, have linked their demands to the government’s expenditure on the evacuation exercise.

The demonstration started at 6:00 a.m. with participants assembling at Villaggio, near the Tetteh Quarshie Interchange and opposite Accra Mall.

They are expected to march to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and subsequently to Jubilee House.

The demonstration is primarily directed at Mr. Ablakwa, whom the NPP wants removed over controversies surrounding the evacuation of Ghanaians from South Africa and the issuance of diplomatic and service passports.

The party has called for investigations by the Attorney-General and the Office of the Special Prosecutor into the issues, as well as the prosecution of any officials found culpable.

On the evacuation exercise, the NPP is demanding the publication of invoices, contracts and proof of payment for chartered flights, together with the full passenger manifest and beneficiary list to verify the reported evacuation of 1,964 Ghanaians.

It is also seeking an independent audit of the total expenditure on the exercise.

The demonstrators are seeking answers from the Foreign Affairs Minister over the expenditure, with their demands placing the evacuation funds at the centre of today’s protest.

The development comes amid growing public interest in how government resources are used and the need for transparency in public spending.

It remains to be seen whether the protest will prompt a response from Mr Ablakwa or lead to further clarification on the expenditure associated with the evacuation exercise.