By James Amoh Jnr, GNA
Accra, July 27, GNA – The Government has evacuated more than 1,000 Ghanaians from South Africa following renewed anti-foreigner violence and introduced a reintegration package for returnees.
The evacuation was conducted in two phases, with 926 Ghanaians returning on three chartered flights on May 27, June 6 and June 7, 2026, while the second phase began on Sunday, July 26.
Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Minister of Foreign Affairs, announced this at a media briefing in Accra on Monday on recent consular developments and key diplomatic engagements.
He said the second phase, which is being undertaken through commercial flights, was aimed at evacuating another 1,000 Ghanaians in an orderly and dignified manner.
By Monday, 132 Ghanaians had returned, with 84 others expected before the close of Tuesday, July 28.
Mr Ablakwa said the evacuation followed a resurgence of anti-foreigner violence in parts of South Africa, particularly Durban and other commercial centres, where African migrants, including Ghanaians, had reported harassment, intimidation and attacks.
“The Government had to undertake an evacuation exercise using chartered flights,” he said, adding that the operation was coordinated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in collaboration with Ghana’s High Commission in Pretoria, other Ministries, Departments and Agencies, and international partners.
He said Ghana’s diplomatic engagement with South African authorities remained ongoing to ensure the safe departure of affected nationals.
The Minister expressed appreciation to the leadership of the Church of Pentecost in Pretoria and Johannesburg and Global Kingdom Investment Pty. Ltd. for providing free accommodation for displaced Ghanaians awaiting evacuation.
He described their support as an important contribution to the Government’s humanitarian response.
Mr Ablakwa said the evacuation represented the immediate response to the situation, while further measures had been introduced to assist returnees with reintegration.
He said the Government had provided emergency cash grants to support immediate needs, including transportation, food and medication.
Psychologists and trauma counsellors had also been deployed to provide support to returnees, while faith-based organisations and civil society groups were assisting with additional psychosocial services.
“We have mobilised the full machinery of government to ensure that these returnees are received and reintegrated with dignity,” he said.
The Minister announced that each returnee would receive a GH₵5,000 reintegration grant, a GH₵500 transport allowance, relief items from the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) and free registration onto the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).
He said AirtelTigo and Telecel Ghana had partnered the Government to provide SIM card registration as well as voice and data packages to returnees.
Mr Ablakwa said the Government had established a multi-agency Presidential Task Force on Reintegration to support the long-term recovery of returnees.
The task force, comprising representatives from the Ministries of Employment and Labour Relations, Education, Trade and Industry, Gender and Social Protection, and Local Government, had begun skills mapping exercises to assess the professional backgrounds and aspirations of returnees.
The exercise would guide efforts to connect returnees to employment opportunities, entrepreneurship programmes, skills development initiatives and business start-up support.
The Minister said the Government had secured about 200 employment opportunities through partnerships with private sector organisations.
He said Engineers and Planners Limited had committed to providing 100 jobs, while Telecel Ghana, AirtelTigo and other companies had also pledged employment opportunities.
Mr Ablakwa said discussions with additional corporate organisations were ongoing to expand available opportunities.
He said social workers would conduct regular follow-up visits to returnees during the first six months after their arrival, while a dedicated helpline had been established for persons requiring mental health support.
The Minister said the Government also planned to launch a nationwide public education campaign to prevent discrimination and stigmatisation of returnees.
He said a register of claims was being established to document businesses, investments and other assets lost by Ghanaians during the attacks to support future diplomatic and legal efforts aimed at seeking redress.
Mr Ablakwa commended the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and the Ghana Red Cross Society for their support during the evacuation exercise, including medical screening, mental health and psychosocial services, meals and other humanitarian assistance.
He said Ghana had formally petitioned the African Union to place recurring anti-foreigner attacks on its agenda, arguing that such incidents undermined African unity, regional integration and the principles underpinning the African Continental Free Trade Area.
Mr Ablakwa reiterated the Government’s commitment to protecting Ghanaian nationals abroad and pursuing diplomatic, humanitarian and legal measures to ensure their safety and welfare.
GNA
Reporter: James Amoh Jnr
Email: [email protected]
Edited by Kenneth Sackey