Gov’t Evacuates 300 Ghanaians From South Africa

The Government of Ghana has commenced urgent measures to evacuate 300 stranded and distressed Ghanaian nationals from South Africa following a renewed wave of xenophobic violence in parts of the country.

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, disclosed in a statement shared on his official Facebook page that President John Dramani Mahama has granted presidential approval for the immediate evacuation exercise to ensure the safety of affected citizens.

According to the Foreign Minister, the affected Ghanaians had earlier responded to an advisory issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration and subsequently registered with Ghana’s High Commission in Pretoria for evacuation assistance.

“His Excellency John Mahama has granted presidential approval for the immediate evacuation of 300 Ghanaians in South Africa. These distressed Ghanaians had earlier complied with the Foreign Ministry’s advisory and registered with our High Commission in Pretoria to be rescued following the latest wave of xenophobic attacks” part of the post reads.

He added, “The Government of Ghana shall continue to safeguard the welfare of all Ghanaians home and abroad.”

The latest xenophobic tensions in South Africa have sparked concern across several African countries, with reports of attacks, intimidation and destruction of businesses belonging to foreign nationals.

Ghanaian authorities are said to be closely monitoring the situation while engaging South African officials through diplomatic channels.

In related development, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has disclosed that, 28 Ghanaian nationals, mostly young people, have been rescued from a human trafficking network in Côte d’Ivoire and repatriated to Ghana following a coordinated cross-border security operation.

In a press release on Sunday, May 10, the Ministry stated: “Twenty-eight (28) Ghanaian nationals, predominantly youth, who were victims of a sophisticated human trafficking network have been rescued and repatriated to Ghana after a successful operation conducted by security operatives and officials of the Embassy of Ghana in Abidjan.”

READ FULL PRESS STATEMENT BELOW:

SUCCESSFUL RESCUE AND REPATRIATION OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING NETWORK VICTIMS FROM CÔTE D’IVOIRE

ACCRA, 10TI MAY, 2026 – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to inform the general public that twenty-eight (28) Ghanaian nationals, predominantly youth, who were victims of a sophisticated human trafficking network have been rescued and repatriated to Ghana from Côte d’Ivoire, today, 10h May, 2026 after a successful operation conducted by security operatives and officials of the Embassy of Ghana in Abidjan.

The rescued human trafficking victims are safely in Ghana and currently assisting with further investigations.

The Government of Ghana conveys commendations to Ivorian authorities for the effective collaboration and shared intelligence.

Ghanaians are hereby advised to be extra vigilant and avoid becoming victims to such trafficking schemes.

Meanwhile, the Mahama Administration assures that all efforts are being deployed to dismantle these criminal networks and bring the masterminds to justice.

The Ministry, therefore, urges the public to be conscious of the dangers associated with engaging unlicensed recruitment agencies which promise travel and job opportunities.

The public is encouraged to confirm the validity of any advertisement/offer with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Labour, Jobs and Employment Relations and Ghana’s diplomatic missions abroad to avoid falling prey.

The welfare of all Ghanaians remains our utmost priority.

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