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| Ghana Evacuates 300 Citizens From South Africa as Xenophobic Attacks Escalate, Ablakwa Leads Reintegration Effort. |
Ghana Steps Up Evacuation and Support for Citizens Amid South Africa Xenophobic Attacks*
The Government of Ghana has evacuated 300 citizens from South Africa as xenophobic violence targeting foreign nationals intensifies, Foreign Minister Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa confirmed this week.
The first batch of evacuees arrived at Kotoka International Airport in Accra on Wednesday, May 28, 2026. Ablakwa, who received them personally, stated that over 800 Ghanaians had registered with Ghana’s mission in South Africa seeking assistance to return home. The group included 26 citizens previously imprisoned in South Africa for visa-related offences.
Government’s Reintegration Plan
Addressing returnees at the airport, Hon. Ablakwa outlined immediate support measures:
- Psychosocial & medical care: Psychologists, doctors, and nurses deployed to assist traumatized evacuees.
- Financial support: Transport allowances to get home + a reintegration allowance to help them resettle.
- Jobs secured: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has already locked in 120 job opportunities from Ghanaian business owners for returnees. The initiative is coordinated by Ambassador Alexander Grant Ntrakwa, head of the Ministry’s Delivery Unit.
“We invite Ghanaian CEOs and entrepreneurs desirous of employing Ghanaians returning from South Africa to contact the Delivery Unit,” the Ministry said in its June 1 statement.
The move follows multiple violent incidents. Ghana’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Benjamin Quarshie, confirmed a Ghanaian woman is battling for her life in ICU after being beaten. In another case, 42-year-old hairdresser Diana Akuffo was attacked with stones, sticks, and a knife at her salon before being repatriated.
Quarshie noted that demonstrations in SA had “escalated into looting and the beating of Ghanaians,” prompting Ghana to issue a travel advisory on June 1 warning citizens to avoid non-essential travel to South Africa.
One returnee, Victor Atsu Togbe, who lived in South Africa for 16 years, told _Xinhua_: “Attacks on foreigners had made it difficult for us to sustain a meaningful livelihood. We are happy to be back home.” Another man, who sold family land to fund his trip to SA, reportedly returned with nothing after 16 years due to the unrest.
Chief of Staff Julius Debrah, who joined Ablakwa at the airport, urged returnees to “move beyond their difficult experiences in South Africa and reintegrate into society.”
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa condemned the violence, calling attacks on foreign nationals “acts of opportunists” that do not reflect government policy. He urged respect for the rule of law as SA intensifies efforts to address illegal migration.
Evacuations are ongoing for the remaining registered Ghanaians. The Foreign Ministry continues to appeal to private sector leaders to provide more jobs, with Ablakwa emphasizing that economic stability is key to reintegration.
Ghanaians in South Africa needing assistance are advised to contact the Ghana High Commission in Pretoria immediately.
Sources: Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ghana, Lokmat Times, GhanaWeb, TV3 Ghana,
