600 more stranded Ghanaians to be evacuated from South Africa

Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has confirmed that an additional 600 Ghanaian nationals have registered with Ghana’s High Commission in South Africa to be evacuated back home as concerns persist over anti-immigrant protests and xenophobic violence in parts of the country.

The announcement comes just days after Ghana successfully repatriated its first batch of citizens under a government coordinated evacuation programme launched in response to the deteriorating security situation facing some foreign nationals in South Africa.

“600 more Ghanaians register at our High Commission to be evacuated from South Africa,” the Member of Parliament for North Tongu stated in a Facebook post.

He added, “When the safety and dignity of Ghanaians are at stake, the Government of Ghana does not compromise or dither. I am immensely proud of the resilient spirit of Ghanaians. See you soon. There’s no place like home. For God and Country.”

The latest registrations follow the successful evacuation of 300 Ghanaian nationals from South Africa on 27 May 2026.

The government-chartered flight transporting the returnees landed safely at Accra International Airport, where senior government officials, including the Chief of Staff, Foreign Affairs Minister, among others, received the passengers.

According to official figures, the first group comprised 141 men, 97 women, and 62 children. Authorities also indicated that 26 individuals among the returnees had been classified as immigration offenders.

Upon arrival, the evacuees received immediate support from government agencies. Assistance included medical care, psychological counselling, transport support, and cash relief packages provided through the National Disaster Management Organisation.

Government officials said the support measures were designed to ease the reintegration process and provide relief to those returning under difficult circumstances.

The evacuation exercise was authorized by the Ghanaian government following escalating anti-immigrant demonstrations and reports of xenophobic attacks targeting foreign nationals.

The unrest has been linked to activities by certain groups in South Africa, which have reportedly called for all nationals of other countries to leave South Africa by 30 June 2026.

The demonstrations have heightened anxiety among migrant communities, many of whom depend on small businesses and informal economic activities for their livelihoods.

Several Ghanaian nationals have reported experiencing threats, intimidation, physical attacks, and disruptions to their businesses amid the tensions. The situation has prompted growing concern among governments across the continent, particularly those with large numbers of citizens residing in South Africa.

Foreign nationals have increasingly become targets of public frustration as some groups blame migrants for competition over jobs, housing, and public services.

While South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has condemned the violence and described the incidents as isolated criminal acts, many migrants say they continue to feel vulnerable.