Minority decries postponed South Africa evacuation plan

The Minority Caucus on the Foreign Affairs Committee of Parliament has expressed strong concern over the government’s decision to postpone the planned evacuation of Ghanaian nationals from South Africa, describing the development as troubling and a reflection of what it calls poor crisis coordination.

In a statement issued on May 22, 2026 and signed by the Ranking Member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Samuel Abu Jinapor, the Minority said it had taken note of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ announcement regarding the postponement of the evacuation exercise but was dissatisfied with how the matter had been handled.

According to the statement, the decision has raised questions about the government’s preparedness and commitment to the protection of Ghanaian citizens abroad, particularly in the wake of renewed xenophobic incidents in South Africa.

“The Minority Caucus on the Foreign Affairs Committee of Parliament has taken note of the announcement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the postponement of the planned evacuation of Ghanaians from South Africa. We find this development deeply troubling and are seriously concerned about the government’s handling of this matter,” the statement said.

Reports of attacks and intimidation

The Caucus noted that reports of attacks and intimidation against foreign nationals in South Africa had generated fear among Ghanaians living there, prompting the government to announce evacuation arrangements for affected citizens.

It further indicated that many Ghanaians had already registered with the Ghana High Commission in Pretoria in anticipation of the evacuation exercise.

“Hundreds of Ghanaians reportedly registered with our High Commission in Pretoria in anticipation of support and assistance,” the Minority stated.

The statement recalled that the Minority had earlier called for swift and coordinated intervention following the initial reports of xenophobic attacks, stressing that the protection of citizens abroad remains a core responsibility of the state.

Disappointing outcome

It argued that while government publicly announced the evacuation plan and assured citizens of action, the subsequent postponement due to what authorities described as legal and logistical requirements was disappointing.

“It is therefore disappointing that after the announcements, assurances and public statements, we are now being told that the exercise has been postponed due to legal and logistical requirements,” the statement noted.

The Minority maintained that such challenges should have been anticipated before any public commitment was made, insisting that operational readiness should precede official announcements during crisis situations.

“Such matters should not become obstacles in the middle of a crisis response. They are issues that ought to have been considered and addressed before commitments were made publicly,” it added.

The statement further criticised a growing concern about the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ handling of citizen protection issues, arguing that better coordination was required to avoid confusion and uncertainty.

Human rights impact

It stressed that the government must recognise the human impact behind the situation, noting that those affected are Ghanaian citizens seeking protection and reassurance from their state.

“Behind every statistic is a Ghanaian citizen, a family living in fear, and people looking to their country for protection and reassurance,” the statement said.

The Minority therefore urged the government to act with urgency, provide regular updates to affected citizens and the public, and ensure that all necessary measures were taken to safeguard the welfare and dignity of Ghanaians abroad.

The Minority further reiterated its call for a more serious and coordinated approach to foreign affairs crisis management, especially in matters involving the safety of citizens outside the country.