The Government of Ghana has authorised the immediate evacuation of 300 Ghanaian nationals residing in South Africa following a renewed surge in xenophobic violence targeting foreign nationals across parts of the country.
The announcement was made by Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa in a statement shared through his official Facebook page on Tuesday, May 12. According to the Foreign Affairs Minister, President John Dramani Mahama personally granted executive approval for the emergency evacuation operation.
Mr Ablakwa explained that the affected Ghanaians had earlier complied with a directive issued by the Foreign Affairs Ministry advising citizens living in vulnerable communities to register with Ghana’s diplomatic mission in Pretoria for possible assistance and protection.
The Minister disclosed that all 300 individuals who are set to be evacuated had successfully enrolled with Ghana’s High Commission in Pretoria after seeking urgent support in response to the latest outbreak of anti foreign violence.
He further emphasised that the Mahama administration remains fully committed to protecting the wellbeing, dignity, and security of Ghanaian citizens regardless of their location across the world.
According to him, the government will continue implementing every necessary intervention to ensure the safety of Ghanaians both within the country and throughout the international community whenever emergencies arise.
The latest evacuation decision follows growing anxiety surrounding another wave of xenophobic disturbances in South Africa, a recurring crisis that has historically affected numerous African migrants, including citizens of Ghana, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, and other neighbouring states.
Previous episodes of violence in South Africa have resulted in deaths, injuries, destruction of businesses, displacement of foreign nationals, and emergency repatriation exercises organised by several African governments for their stranded citizens.
The renewed tensions have once again reignited concerns about the safety of African migrants living and working in South Africa, particularly in communities where hostility toward foreign nationals has periodically escalated into violent confrontations.
Ghanaian authorities are expected to coordinate closely with diplomatic officials in Pretoria alongside relevant South African institutions to ensure the safe and orderly return of the affected citizens in the coming days.
