Government defends GH₵10M relief donation and troop deployment

The government has explained that its donation of relief items worth GH₵10 million and the deployment of troops to Jamaica are rooted in the values of empathy, solidarity, and compassion.

The clarification came after the Minority caucus called on the Foreign Affairs Minister to brief Parliament on the matter.

Speaking in the House, Minister for Foreign Affairs Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa stated that the gesture continues, rather than departs from, Ghana’s long-standing tradition of leadership, responsibility, and humanitarian support.

“These historic actions spanning more than six decades illustrate that Ghana’s humanitarian diplomacy is institutional, principled, and deeply rooted in our national identity. They demonstrate a consistent belief that solidarity is not merely rhetorical but must be expressed through tangible results, even when resources are limited. Our actions today are not departures from precedent. They are continuations of a legacy of compassion, leadership, and responsibility that has defined Ghana’s engagement in the comity of nations,” he said.

The relief package, aimed at assisting victims of a recent hurricane, includes bags of rice, mattresses, gari mix, cocoa products, storage tanks, and other essential supplies. Part of the support has also been allocated to war-torn Sudan.

Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin had requested clear justifications for the donations, particularly given the struggles of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) in providing sufficient relief items for Ghanaians.

Similarly, Minority Chief Whip Frank Annoh-Dompreh urged the minister to provide details on Ghanaian troops deployed to Benin following the attempted military takeover, including the financial implications of the deployment.