By Jibril Abdul Mumuni
Accra, Oct. 3, GNA – Mr Harold Agyemang, Coordinating Director for Political and Economic Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, says the Government is rolling out reintegration incentives for Ghanaians evacuated from South Africa following xenophobic attacks.
The Government had successfully engaged the returnees to ascertain their preferred occupations and trades, and was providing support to help them reintegrate into the Ghanaian economy, he said.
Mr Agyemang made the disclosure during the maiden episode of ‘Under the Baobab’, a weekly political affairs programme hosted by Deutsche Welle, in collaboration with Channel One Media.
He said while some of the returnees had successfully secured formal employment and reintegrated into society, others were still seeking opportunities.
Mr Agyemang noted that returnees engaged in artisanal and informal sector occupations had been provided with orientation and support to help them embark on entrepreneurial ventures in Ghana.
In May 2026, the first batch of Ghanaian citizens was evacuated from South Africa following anti-migrant protests and attacks.
Subsequently, the Government facilitated the evacuation of an additional 700 Ghanaian nationals from that country.
In recent times, some returnees have expressed concerns over delays in receiving incentives promised to them and have voiced dissatisfaction with aspects of the reintegration packages.
However, Mr Agyemang said it was not possible for all returnees to be absorbed into formal employment at the same time.
He explained that the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection was exploring ways of empowering female returnees through entrepreneurial support programmes and grant opportunities to enable them to establish their own businesses.
Mr Agyemang assured the returnees that the Government remained committed to working with them and expediting efforts to complete the reintegration process.
“The Government is mindful of the challenges faced by returnees who are yet to be fully reintegrated,” he said, noting the potential social implications of unemployment.
“Because if they come in and they are not doing anything productive, that becomes a social problem, which has wider implications,” he said.
Mr Agyemang condemned the recent xenophobic attacks in South Africa, saying foreigners were often unfairly blamed for the social and economic challenges confronting societies.
He stressed that African countries had a moral obligation to collectively oppose xenophobic attacks against Africans living in other parts of the continent.
He noted that Africa had a youthful population and emphasised the importance of migration and regional integration in advancing the continent’s development aspirations.
“Through migration and integration, we can ensure that we live up to the aspirations of the continent,” Mr Agyemang said.
GNA
Edited by Agnes Boye-Doe
Reporter: Jibril Abdul Mumuni
Email: [email protected]