The Government of Ghana has spent GH¢49.7 million to evacuate 1,964 Ghanaians from South Africa following a resurgence of xenophobic attacks against African nationals.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa (MP), disclosed this at a press conference yesterday in Accra, where he presented a comprehensive report on the evacuation exercise and related diplomatic interventions.
The evacuation exercise, which commenced on May 27, 2026, and ended on September 4, 2026, was undertaken in response to the deteriorating security situation and growing threats against foreign nationals in parts of South Africa.
Mr. Ablakwa highlighted that Ghana was the first country to evacuate its citizens, with vulnerable groups, including children, the sick, the aged and women, prioritized during the initial evacuation.
“We can confirm that a total of 1,964 Ghanaians were evacuated throughout the exercise, which commenced on 27 May 2026 and ended on 4 September 2026,” he stated.
Evacuation Cost Reaches GH¢49.7 Million
The Foreign Affairs Minister said the total evacuation cost amounted to GH¢49,721,786.
According to him, GH¢38,835,512 was spent on chartered flights, tickets, ground transportation, food, hotel accommodation, medical and hospitalization requirements.
An additional GH¢10,802,000 was used for reintegration and transportation allowances, while GH¢84,274 was spent on the repatriation of two deceased Ghanaian nationals.
Mr. Ablakwa disclosed that the government financed GH¢33,721,786 of the total cost, while Engineers and Planners, owned by Mr. Ibrahim Mohammed, donated GH¢16 million towards the exercise.
The Member of Parliament for North Tongu said each evacuee received a GH¢5,000 reintegration grant and a GH¢500 travel and transportation allowance.
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The Minister stressed that the entire evacuation cost had been fully settled, with no outstanding liabilities.
Four Ghanaians Lost Their Lives
Mr. Ablakwa also disclosed that four Ghanaians lost their lives during the period of heightened xenophobic attacks.
They include Amoonu jailer Nash, Bashiru Issahaq (also referred to as Bashiru Isak), Kwadwo Antwi and Ebenezer Ayi Tawiah
He said the government had activated diplomatic and consular mechanisms to seek justice for the deceased and continued to engage South African authorities over investigations into the deaths.
In the case of Mr. Issahaq, who was allegedly murdered during anti-immigrant demonstrations in Cape Town, the Minister mentioned that Ghana had filed a complaint with the South African Police Service and was demanding the arrest and prosecution of those responsible.
“The government of Ghana still awaits the response of the government of South Africa on this matter,” Mr. Ablakwa stated.
He added that the government would continue to pursue appropriate diplomatic and legal avenues to ensure justice for the victims and their families.
Ghana Pushes Xenophobia Matter Before African Union
The Foreign Affairs Minister said Ghana had formally petitioned the African Union Commission on May 6, 2026, to place xenophobic attacks in South Africa on the AU agenda as an urgent continental concern.
He said the petition highlighted the loss of lives, attacks on African migrants, destruction of businesses and threats to African unity, free movement and continental integration.
Mr. Ablakwa said the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) had unanimously endorsed Ghana’s decision to pursue the matter within the African Union.
He further disclosed that the AU Commission had formally responded to Ghana and indicated that the matter would be tabled for deliberations at the AU Summit expected in January 2027.
Ghana to Establish Diaspora Consular Fund
Mr. Ablakwa announced that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would soon establish a Ghanaian Diaspora Consular Fund to provide emergency assistance to Ghanaians facing distress or crises abroad.
“I wish to announce that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will, in the coming weeks, launch a Ghanaian diaspora consular fund which will serve as an emergency response funding mechanism to swiftly and promptly take care of Ghanaians in distress and during crises anywhere in the world,” he stated.
He added that the Ministry, Ghana’s diplomatic missions and international partners had intervened in several countries to facilitate the repatriation of Ghanaians in distress.
Since 2025, Mr. Ablakwa said, 4,972 Ghanaians, excluding those evacuated from South Africa, had been successfully repatriated to Ghana.
The Minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to protecting the lives, welfare and dignity of Ghanaians wherever they may be in the world.
SOURCE: MICHAEL EDUAH / ATLFMNEWSROOM
