‘You are not refugees’ — Ablakwa outlines support ahead of Ghana evacuees’ arrival

Ghana’s government has completed preparations to receive the first batch of citizens being evacuated from South Africa, following weeks of anti-immigrant protests that targeted foreign nationals across several provinces. Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa confirmed that a comprehensive support package has been assembled to ensure dignified reception and smooth reintegration for returning Ghanaians.

Speaking to evacuees before their departure, Ablakwa outlined a five-point government support programme and announced that a high-level delegation, led by the Chief of Staff, would greet them upon arrival. “The Chief of Staff himself has called me to say that he would love to join me to receive you,” he said, underscoring the administration’s commitment to the exercise.

Dignity, Not Displacement

The minister was emphatic about the framing of the evacuation. “You are not refugees, you are not some destitute. Ghana is not some war zone where we cannot take care of our own,” Ablakwa told the group, rejecting any characterisation of the returning citizens as displaced persons.

The distinction carries political weight. Ghana has long positioned itself as a welcoming destination for Africans across the continent, and Ablakwa pointed to the steady arrival of foreign nationals who continue to feel safe in the country as evidence of this tradition. The evacuation, he argued, reflects Ghana’s broader commitment to protecting its citizens abroad and responding swiftly when crises arise.

The South Africa Context

The repatriation follows the first group of Ghanaian citizens to leave South Africa amid a surge of anti-immigrant sentiment in the country. Protests and targeted attacks forced many foreign nationals, including a significant number of Ghanaians, to seek refuge at embassies and police stations. Videos circulating on social media showed confrontations and property destruction in areas with large immigrant communities.

Ghana’s diplomatic mission in Pretoria worked with South African authorities to coordinate the safe movement of citizens to departure points. Officials say further batches of evacuees are expected in the coming weeks, with ongoing coordination to ensure their transport and resettlement.

A Growing Trend

The episode highlights the vulnerability of African migrants across the continent, where periodic waves of xenophobic violence have strained diplomatic relations and exposed gaps in regional protections. For Ghana, the government’s response sets a precedent for how it handles citizen welfare abroad, particularly in neighbouring African states where large diaspora communities reside.

The five-point support package, while not fully detailed publicly, is expected to include financial assistance, counselling services, and reintegration support for families returning from South Africa. The government has indicated it will continue to monitor conditions in the country and stand ready to evacuate additional citizens if the situation deteriorates.

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