Gov’t Completes Evacuation of Citizens From South Africa

The Government of Ghana has completed the evacuation of about 1,900 Ghanaians from South Africa, following the recent wave of xenophobic attacks that left members of the Ghanaian community distressed and vulnerable.

The final group of evacuees arrived in Ghana over the weekend as part of the second phase of the government’s evacuation exercise, which covered 1,000 Ghanaians.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, who announced the completion of the exercise, said the government had put in place a package of support measures to help the returnees settle back into their communities.

According to him, the evacuees have been provided with reintegration financial support, transportation allowances, medical care, and psychosocial assistance.

They have also been supported to register for free health insurance, while arrangements are being made to assist them with employment opportunities as they rebuild their lives after returning home.

“This second phase of evacuations covered 1,000 Ghanaians. The Government of Ghana has therefore, in total, evacuated about 1,900 Ghanaians and provided them with reintegration financial support, transportation allowances, medical care, psychosocial support, free health insurance registration, and ongoing employment assistance,” he stated.

Mr. Ablakwa said the successful completion of the exercise demonstrated the government’s commitment to protecting Ghanaian citizens, irrespective of where they found themselves.

He described the evacuation as a collective national effort involving the government and local partners, stressing that the safety and dignity of Ghanaians remained a priority.

“We achieved this together as Ghanaians. Our message is clear: we value the lives of Ghanaians everywhere in the world, and no Ghanaian will be abandoned in harm’s way,” he said.

The Minister expressed appreciation to President John Dramani Mahama for what he described as his inspirational leadership throughout the humanitarian operation.

He also commended local partners and other stakeholders whose support contributed to the successful evacuation and reception of the affected Ghanaians.

The evacuation exercise, however, comes against the backdrop of the deaths of four Ghanaians during the period of heightened tensions and attacks in South Africa.

Mr. Ablakwa extended his condolences to the bereaved families and said the government continued to pray with them in the wake of their loss.

“We continue to pray with the families of the four Ghanaians who died during this period. May God grant them divine succour,” he added.

The Minister further disclosed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would, in the coming days, present a comprehensive report on the evacuation exercise to the Ghanaian public.

He said the report would provide a full and transparent account of the operation, including details of the government’s interventions and support provided to the returnees.