Commissioner shares update on final evacuation of 900 Ghanaians from South Africa

Ghana's High Commissioner to South Africa, Benjamin Quashie, has announced that the government's upcoming evacuation of nearly 900 Ghanaians from South Africa will mark the final phase of its mass repatriation exercise, after which assistance will only be provided on a case-by-case basis through consular services.

According to a report by graphic.com.gh on July 14, 2026, the latest evacuation exercise is scheduled to begin on July 25, 2026, following the registration and screening of close to 900 Ghanaian nationals who have voluntarily requested to return home.

The exercise follows earlier government-led evacuations of Ghanaians affected by xenophobic attacks in South Africa, many of whom have been stranded in churches, hotels, or with friends and relatives.

Speaking to members of the Ghanaian community, Quashie said the repatriation is being funded by the Government of Ghana through the Office of the President and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

"As a government that cares, the President and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs instituted us into having an evacuation for Ghanaians who voluntarily want to go home. We have almost 926 that have gone home. I'm here to announce that the Ministry has provided, through the Office of the President, support for us to be able to also do another repatriation of close to 900 Ghanaians who are voluntarily giving their names here in South Africa that they want to go," he said.

He disclosed that South Africa's Department of Home Affairs and Border Management Authorities had approved July 25 as the start date for the exercise, with flights departing daily until all registered persons are returned to Ghana.

Quashie stressed that only individuals who have already been registered and screened will be eligible for the evacuation.

SA June 30 Protest: Benjamin Quashie shares update on Ghanaians awaiting repatriation

"We are not doing new registrations yet. We are going according to those who have been registered and screened. If you know that you've not been registered or you've not been screened, we don't want you to make it look as if we are the bad ones," he cautioned.

He explained that those selected for each flight would be notified in advance and transported from various provinces to designated departure points.

The High Commissioner, however, emphasized that the July operation will bring the government's large-scale evacuation programme to a close.

"These are people that we know genuinely; they want to go home. Genuinely, they have issues. Genuinely, they have challenges. The government, through the benevolence of the President, and also our Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, now is the time for us to take the 900 back home. When we do this 900, let me inform all of us that, that will be the number at which we're done with the repatriation. It will then be on a case-by-case basis through consular services," he stated.

He further advised registered beneficiaries not to travel to the Ghana High Commission with luggage without prior notification, urging them instead to adhere to the established procedures to ensure a smooth and orderly evacuation process.

MRA/VPO

From Wontumi to Miracles: NPP national executive hopefuls under criminal investigations