Gov’t to Link Evacuated Ghanaians to Livelihood Support Based on Skills and Business Interests-Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister
Government is set to roll out a reintegration programme to help Ghanaians evacuated from South Africa rebuild their lives by matching them with support based on their skills, trades and business aspirations.
The Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr James Gyakye Quayson, made this announcement while addressing a group of 150 returnees on their arrival in Accra on Monday.
He said the programme forms part of the government’s commitment to helping evacuees settle back into their communities and create sustainable livelihoods.
“The government has put plans in place so that anyone who possesses a skilled trade or needs assistance is ready to receive support. We will collect everyone’s contact details, categorise you according to your skills and ambitions, support you and help you achieve the purpose for which you came back,” he said.
He urged the returnees to view their return home as a fresh opportunity rather than the end of their ambitions.
“Whatever plans or life you were building over there, bring that mindset back home and continue it here. Keep the same vision you had”, he noted.
Mr Quayson said the latest group brings the total number of Ghanaians evacuated from South Africa to 1,324.
He added that the ministry would work closely with each returnee to identify their skills, experience and business interests so that the appropriate assistance could be provided.
He said the reintegration exercise would involve officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Port Health and other state institutions to ensure a smooth transition for the returnees.
According to him, every returnee, including children, would receive support packages to help them restart their lives in Ghana.
“The government has ensured that everyone who came, children and adults alike, will receive their appropriate portion to take home and restart their lives,” he said.
He added that telecommunications companies were also supporting the exercise by helping returnees reconnect with family members and access communication services upon arrival.
The Deputy Minister encouraged the returnees to remain hopeful despite their experiences in South Africa and to channel the energy they invested abroad into building successful businesses and careers at home.
He also urged them not to harbour resentment over the circumstances that forced them to leave South Africa.
Joyce Adwoa Animia Ocran, ISD
