The 11th batch of Ghanaian nationals evacuated from South Africa following xenophobic attacks in the country has arrived in Accra, bringing the total number of Ghanaians evacuated since May 2026 to about 1,600.
The latest group, comprising 87 returnees, arrived at the Accra International Airport on Monday, August 17, 2026, as part of the second phase of the government-led evacuation exercise.
They were received at the airport by the Coordinating Director for Political and Economic Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Harold Agyeman, alongside management and staff of the Ministry and other senior government officials.
Welcoming the returnees, Ambassador Agyeman assured them of the government’s commitment to supporting their reintegration into their communities and urged them to remain hopeful as they begin rebuilding their lives in Ghana.
He encouraged the evacuees to draw on the skills, knowledge and experiences they acquired during their time in South Africa and use them to contribute meaningfully to Ghana’s development.
Ambassador Agyeman also stressed the importance of African unity, peaceful coexistence and solidarity among African countries, noting that despite the difficulties encountered by the returnees, Ghanaians and South Africans remain part of the broader African family.
He further announced that the government had provided modest support packages to assist the returnees with their resettlement and reintegration into their respective communities.
Speaking on behalf of the evacuees, one of the returnees expressed gratitude to President John Dramani Mahama and the Government of Ghana for facilitating their safe return.
The returnees particularly thanked the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, and staff of the Ministry for their support, as well as Ghana’s High Commission in Pretoria and other stakeholders who contributed to the evacuation process.
Representatives from the Ghana Armed Forces, Ghana Immigration Service, National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), Ghana Red Cross, Port Health authorities and other relevant institutions were also present at the airport to provide assistance and facilitate the smooth transition of the returnees.
The latest arrival brings to approximately 1,600 the number of Ghanaian nationals evacuated from South Africa since May 2026.
The government is expected to evacuate about 300 additional Ghanaians in the coming weeks, bringing the second phase of the exercise to a close.
