Here’s the latest update on repatriations from South Africa as June 30 deadline draws near

Ghana's Ambassador to South Africa, Benjamin Quashie, has disclosed that plans to repatriate Ghanaians from South Africa are at an advanced stage but have been delayed due to the South African authorities' ongoing efforts to process thousands of Malawian migrants.

Speaking in a video shared by CITI FM on X and sighted by GhanaWeb on June 28, 2026, Ambassador Quashie explained that the South African Department of Home Affairs is currently overwhelmed with the repatriation of nearly 10,000 Malawian nationals, temporarily slowing Ghana's evacuation process.

According to him, the Ghanaian mission has been engaging the South African authorities following directives from the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, to facilitate the repatriation exercise.

"On the directive of the minister, we have engaged the Department of Home Affairs in South Africa. As you may have heard, almost 10,000 of our compatriots from Malawi are currently being repatriated back home. The entire Home Affairs setup, which is supposed to assist us with clearing our people for travel, is focused on handling that large number," he said.

Ambassador Quashie explained that Ghana's planned evacuation could not proceed last week because the officials responsible for processing travel clearances were fully engaged with the Malawian exercise.

"So, we couldn't have them last week to help us. We are hoping that by this week they will finish what they are doing and then turn their attention to us," he stated.

He further revealed that although the minister had hoped the evacuation of Ghanaians would be completed before June 30, 2026, the South African authorities indicated that meeting that timeline would be difficult.

"Yesterday evening, when I spoke with the Honourable Minister, he wished we could complete the evacuations before the 30th of June. But from the South African side, it will be very difficult. We also do not want to appear ungrateful because they have been assisting us throughout the screening process. They have assured us that once they complete the Malawian repatriation, they will attend to Ghana's request," he added.

Ambassador Quashie said the evacuation is now expected to take place sometime next week, subject to confirmation from South Africa's Department of Home Affairs.

"We are looking at next week; not necessarily Monday or Tuesday, but sometime during the week. Once we receive confirmation from the Department of Home Affairs here in South Africa, we will inform the Ghanaian community of the date for their repatriation," he said.

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About 900 Ghanaians awaiting repatriation from South Africa are currently in safe havens ahead of planned anti-immigration protests on June 30, Ghana's Ambassador to South Africa, Benjamin Quashie, has disclosed. He says measures have been put in place to ensure the safe and… pic.twitter.com/vlVJ290Rhf

— CITI FM 97.3 (@Citi973) June 28, 2026