Foreign Affairs Minister commends Church of Pentecost for Sheltering stranded Ghanaians during the xenophobic attacks in South Africa

The Foreign Affairs Minister, Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has commended the Church of Pentecost for protecting more than 500 Ghanaians who fled xenophobic attacks in South Africa and providing them with shelter, food and clothing for more than two months.

He expressed gratitude when he led a delegation to visit the Chairman of the Church of Pentecost in Accra on Wednesday.

Speaking on behalf of the President, the minister said the Church’s intervention provided a haven for the stranded citizens while they awaited government assistance to return home.

“We are deeply grateful to the Chairman and the entire congregation of The Church of Pentecost for opening your doors to more than 500 of our citizens at a time when they needed help most,” he noted.

The Minister said the support from the Church helped protect the stranded Ghanaians from further harm during a difficult period. The Church provided free accommodation, clothing and meals to the affected citizens for more than two months as government worked to facilitate their voluntary return to Ghana.

He added that the government subsequently commenced the second phase of the voluntary repatriation exercise following continued appeals from stranded Ghanaians for assistance.

“More than 600 people have so far been evacuated through commercial flights under the second phase, bringing the total number of Ghanaians repatriated from South Africa since June to more than 1,600,” he said.

The minister said the evacuation exercise would continue, with more Ghanaians expected to return home in the coming days before the second phase is concluded.

According to him, the latest figures add to an earlier evacuation exercise undertaken by government after xenophobic attacks and insecurity left several Ghanaian nationals stranded and seeking assistance to leave South Africa.

He said while government coordinated the repatriation, the Church of Pentecost provided immediate humanitarian support to hundreds of citizens who had been left without safe accommodation.

On his part, the Chairman of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Eric Kwabena Nyamekye, called for closer collaboration between the Church and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to strengthen assistance for Ghanaians who find themselves in crisis abroad.

“We believe the Church can be the first respondent, especially in countries where Ghana currently has no foreign mission,” he said.

He noted that stronger cooperation between the Church and the Ministry could help ensure that Ghanaian nationals receive timely support during emergencies while diplomatic and government interventions are being arranged.

Joyce Adwoa Animia Ocran, ISD