600 More Ghanaians Register for Evacuation From South Africa, Ablakwa Confirms

An additional 600 Ghanaians have registered at the country’s High Commission in South Africa to be evacuated, Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has disclosed, as the government intensifies efforts to bring citizens home amid ongoing xenophobic tensions.

In a Facebook post on Friday, Mr Ablakwa said the government would not hesitate when it comes to protecting the safety and dignity of Ghanaian nationals abroad. “When the safety and dignity of Ghanaians are at stake, the Government of Ghana does not compromise or dither,” he stated.

The new registrations bring the total number of Ghanaians seeking evacuation significantly higher, building on the approximately 300 citizens who have already been repatriated in earlier batches. The first group of evacuees arrived in Accra on May 27, with authorities pledging to continue the operation until every registered citizen is safely returned.

The evacuation effort comes in the wake of a fresh wave of xenophobic violence targeting foreign nationals in South Africa, which has sparked widespread outrage across the African continent. Attacks on migrants, including Ghanaians, have resulted in injuries, property destruction, and a deep sense of fear among African communities living in the country.

Mr Ablakwa expressed pride in the resilience of the affected Ghanaians, praising their composure in the face of adversity. “I am immensely proud of the resilient spirit of Ghanaians,” he added.

The government’s response has drawn both praise and scrutiny. While many have commended the swift evacuation effort, others have called for a more comprehensive approach that includes diplomatic pressure on South Africa and support for returnees seeking to rebuild their lives in Ghana. The Ernesto Yeboah-led Economic Fighters League has similarly urged restraint even as it condemned the attacks, warning against retaliatory actions that could worsen the crisis.

Medical screening and psychological support for returning evacuees have also emerged as key concerns. Health experts have recommended that the reintegration protocol for returnees include mental health services, given the trauma many experienced during the attacks.

The Ghana High Commission in Pretoria continues to coordinate registration and logistics for the remaining citizens who wish to return. Officials have indicated that further evacuation flights are being arranged to accommodate the growing number of registrants.

The situation has also reignited broader conversations about the safety of African migrants in South Africa and the recurring nature of xenophobic violence in the country. Several African governments have issued statements condemning the attacks, while calls for continental-level intervention through the African Union have grown louder.

As the evacuation continues, the government faces the challenge of not only bringing citizens home but also ensuring that those who return have adequate support to restart their livelihoods.

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