200 jobs ready for returnees from South Africa – Ablakwa declares

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has announced that the government has secured about 200 employment opportunities for the second batch of 700 Ghanaians evacuated from South Africa as part of efforts to support their reintegration.

Speaking at the Accra International Airport (AIA) on Sunday, June 8, 2026, while receiving the third batch of evacuees, the minister said the jobs had been made available through the support of Ghanaian entrepreneurs and corporate institutions.

According to him, businessman and Chief Executive Officer of Engineers and Planners, Ibrahim Mahama, has offered 100 jobs, while AirtelTigo and Telecel Ghana have also expressed readiness to employ some of the returnees.

“We have already secured about 200 jobs for you. Ibrahim Mahama alone has offered 100 jobs, and other corporate institutions are also coming on board to support your reintegration,” Ablakwa said.

The announcement came as more than 700 Ghanaians, forming the second and third batches of evacuees from South Africa, arrived in the country over the weekend.

The third batch, numbering over 380 people, landed at the Accra International Airport at about 1:40 pm on Sunday.

South Africa fires back at Ablakwa over 'baseless' lawsuit threat, warns of legal battle

Ablakwa noted that additional support was being mobilised, with the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) and several chief executive officers pledging to help create more employment opportunities for the returnees.

Beyond employment, the Foreign Affairs Minister assured the evacuees that the government would pursue compensation for those who lost businesses, shops, homes, and other properties due to the circumstances that led to their evacuation.

He explained that affected persons would be required to provide documentation, including proof of ownership and property details, to support legal processes being put together to seek redress.

“We are not going to sit back without making every effort to secure compensation for those of you who have lost your properties, assets, businesses and shops,” he stated.

He further disclosed that President John Dramani Mahama is expected to raise the issue at the next African Union Mid-Year Coordination Meeting as part of efforts to secure justice and compensation for affected Ghanaians.

Ablakwa commended the returnees for their resilience and contributions to Ghana’s economy, noting that diaspora remittances totalled $7.8 billion last year, making them the second-largest source of foreign exchange earnings after gold exports.

He also expressed gratitude to Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), the Ghana Health Service, the Ghana Airports Company Limited and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) for supporting the evacuation exercise.

MRA/VPO

BREAKING: Two rescued, one in critical condition after building collapse at Avenor