More evacuation flights from South Africa next week - Ablakwa assures

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has said that there will be more evacuation flights from South Africa next week.

This is amid rising xenophobic tensions in South Africa.

The first batch of Ghanaians being evacuated from South Africa amid touched down at the Accra International Airport on Wednesday, May 27, aboard an Ethiopian Airlines flight.

This was the beginning of a government-led repatriation exercise aimed at ensuring the safety of Ghanaians caught in the crossfire of renewed hostility against foreign nationals in parts of South Africa.

In a short statement on his X page, Mr Ablakwa said that "Osagyefo Kwame Nkrumah must be proud of us. More evacuation flights next week. For God and Country."

A total of 300 Ghanaians were on board the initial flight and were met on arrival by senior government officials, including Minister for Foreign Affairs Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa and the Chief of Staff, who led the official reception at the airport to welcome the evacuees back home.

The National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) was also present and presented the returnees with a relief package comprising food and non-food items to provide immediate support while the government finalises a more comprehensive reintegration programme. The broader package is expected to include financial assistance, business startup registration support, and a range of other resettlement interventions designed to help the evacuees rebuild their lives.

The evacuation exercise, coordinated through Ghana's diplomatic mission in South Africa in close collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, comes against the backdrop of growing fears among Ghanaians living and working in South Africa, following renewed reports of attacks, intimidation, and hostility directed at foreign nationals in the country.

Authorities had originally announced the start of the evacuation for Thursday, May 21. However, the process was temporarily delayed after a far higher number of Ghanaians registered for evacuation than officials had initially anticipated. The surge in registrations required a review of logistical arrangements, including flight coordination, travel documentation, and accommodation planning.

South Africa has experienced repeated cycles of xenophobic violence over the years, with foreign nationals, particularly those from other African countries frequently targeted during periods of economic frustration and social unrest. Some of the most severe episodes date back to 2008, with further outbreaks recorded in 2015 and 2019, each time drawing widespread condemnation from governments across the continent.

Ghanaians on board Wednesday's Ethiopian Airlines flight described an atmosphere of fear in the communities they left behind, with many saying they felt they had no choice but to return home.

Officials say additional flights are being arranged to bring home more Ghanaians who have registered for evacuation assistance.