Government Spends GH¢49.72m to Evacuate 1,964 Ghanaians from South Africa
The Government has spent GH¢49.72 million to evacuate 1,964 Ghanaians from South Africa following a resurgence of xenophobic attacks and intimidation against African nationals in the country.
The evacuation exercise, which began on May 27, 2026, and ended on September 4, 2026, was undertaken after growing anti-foreigner sentiment, particularly in Durban and other parts of South Africa, raised concerns about the safety of Ghanaian nationals.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, disclosed this at a media briefing in Accra on Monday.
He said the decision to evacuate the affected Ghanaians was taken under the authority of President John Dramani Mahama, with the safety and dignity of Ghanaian citizens placed above the cost involved in the exercise.
According to the Minister, the total cost of GH¢49,721,786 covered chartered flights, air tickets, ground transportation, feeding, hotel accommodation in South Africa, medical care and hospitalisation.
Government also spent GH¢10.802 million on reintegration and transport allowances, while GH¢84,274 was used to repatriate two mortal remains to Ghana.
“Of the total amount, the Government directly financed GH¢33.721 million, while Engineers and Planners, owned by businessman Ibrahim Mahama, contributed GH¢16 million towards the exercise,” he said.
Mr Ablakwa said each evacuated person received a GH¢5,000 reintegration grant and a GH¢500 transport allowance upon their return to Ghana.
He said the support formed part of measures to help the returnees settle and rebuild their lives after returning from South Africa.
The Minister explained that the evacuation was voluntary and conducted without discrimination, with the first flight on May 27 prioritising children, sick persons, the aged and women.
He said the exercise was coordinated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ghana High Commission in Pretoria, working with the Presidency, National Security Secretariat and other state institutions.
“Beyond the evacuation, the returnees were provided with free medical screening, National Health Insurance Scheme registration and free SIM cards with data and airtime support,” he noted.
Mr Ablakwa said all the returnees had been enrolled in a special national database to support access to employment, entrepreneurship, skills development, and start-up opportunities in collaboration with state institutions and the private sector.
He said four Ghanaians lost their lives in connection with the latest wave of attacks and related circumstances.
Mr Ablakwa said Ghana had taken up the matter diplomatically, including petitioning the African Union Commission to place xenophobic attacks in South Africa against African nationals on its agenda.
He said the issue was expected to be tabled for deliberations at an African Union Summit scheduled for January 2027.
The Minister said the Government remained committed to protecting the lives and welfare of Ghanaian citizens abroad and would continue to strengthen mechanisms for responding to emergencies involving Ghanaians outside the country.
Joyce Adwoa Animia Ocran, ISD
