"Yɛgye Yɛ Sika" Demo: NPP National Youth Wing Floods Streets Accra over South Africa Evacuation GH¢16.4m Audit

Thousands of passionate youths from the main opposition, New Patriotic Party (NPP) took to the streets of Accra on Tuesday, November 3rd 2026 for the much awaited, "Yɛgye Yɛ Sika" (We are reclaiming our money) protest. Under the leadership of the newly elected NPP National Youth Organiser, Abanga Fuseini Yakubu, the protest targeted the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) led by President John Dramani Mahama. The overwhelming majority of protesters wore red and black clothing and assembled in the early hours of the morning outside Villaggio and Accra Mall, and marched to various state institutions.

The protest was sparked by the outrage of the recent evacuation operation by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which spent an incredible GH¢49.7 million to repatriate 1964 Ghanaian Nationals stuck in South Africa due to recent xenophobic attacks. The protestors, carrying banners with messages such as ‘Chobo King’, ‘Abla, your deal is not an jott’, marched to demand Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa resigns.

The youths claim that a large amount of money spent on the evacuation operation has been lost. They said that the government have not provided proof of what the money has been spent on, and who has been evacuated. "You go to South Africa to evacuate Ghanaians but you can’t tell the people of Ghana where the money went."

Abanga Fuseini Yakubu said the youths found that there was an issue with the evacuation costing an incredible 16.4 million. They claim that the ministry paid exorbitant prices for the flights, however they should have been cheaper. They have given the Mahama Government 14 days to conduct a full independent investigation and for Ablakwa to return any lost state funding.

In addition to targeting Foreign Minister Ablakwa, the "Yɛgye Yɛ Sika" demonstration also targeted Sports and Recreation Minister Kofi Adams. The protestors demanded that he provides details of how much state funding was used to cover the 2026 World Cup visa controversy. The youths’ leadership said that while they are using state funding to make political elites rich through visa scams, the average youths of Ghana suffer.

This is not the only corruption issue the NPP Youth Wing have protested about. Many other issues were highlighted such as inflation, high fuel prices and high hostel costs in public tertiary institutions. They said that the Mahama Government have been conducting harsh financial policies, particularly with regards to the controversial 20% Value Added Tax (VAT) on digital services. Yakubu said that digitally taxing the youth directly affects them as they heavily rely on using the internet to work from home, earn money and build sustainable lives.

The demonstration was held in very tense circumstances as there have been accusations of intimidation. The opposition have accused the NDC Government of using police forces to intimidate political opponents. Many wore t-shirts with the message "Yen Suro Ahunahuna" (We Fear No Intimidation) as they are protesting against some high profile arrests of some opposition members, including the Bono Regional Chairman of the party, Kwame Baffoe.

Despite the heavy security presence, the youths marched proudly along multi-lane roads and pedestrian overpasses towards the centre of power. Once they arrived at Jubilee House, they formally handed over their complete petition demanding accountability. However, this caused tension as the opposition leaders were not happy with who the President had chosen to receive it.

Nevertheless, they were able to hand over the petition and the Mahama Government have been given 14 days to act upon the issues. It demands that the President orders an investigation into the Foreign Ministry by the Auditor-General, Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) and Special Prosecutor. The youths have also requested that all diplomatic and service passports have been reviewed since January 2025.

"We have given President John Dramani Mahama 14 days to investigate and prosecute all those responsible", National Youth Organiser Abanga Fuseini Yakubu told reporters after handing over the petition. The youths said that if there is no action taken against the Ministers involved in financial misconduct then they will take further action. They said they will not be intimidated into not taking action against them.

Although government spokespersons say everything is fully transparent and there is no evidence of financial misconduct, political experts say that this is a pivotal moment. The fact that so many attended shows the frustrations of the youths in Ghana with how the state is handling their funds. The NPP Youth Wing have vowed to organise even bigger demonstrations nationwide if their demands are not met.