Xenophobic Attacks: Ghana to evacuate first batch of 300 nationals from South Africa

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has announced that the first batch of 300 Ghanaians will be evacuated from South Africa on May 21, 2026, following a wave of xenophobic attacks and anti-immigrant protests.

In a social media post, a graphic accompanying the announcement indicated that the evacuation will take place at 5:00 a.m. via a chartered flight departing from O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg.

The special flight, fully sponsored by the state, will not impose any cost on the evacuees. The government says the intervention is part of its commitment to safeguarding the welfare and security of Ghanaian nationals abroad amid rising tensions in South Africa.

Mr. Ablakwa reiterated that the safety and wellbeing of Ghanaians, both at home and abroad, remain a “non-negotiable priority” of the Mahama administration, noting that similar interventions have been undertaken in previous international crises involving Ghanaian citizens.

“The welfare and safety of all Ghanaians is a non-negotiable priority of the Mahama administration,” he stated.

The evacuation directive, issued under the authority of President Mahama, comes as several countries move to repatriate their nationals amid escalating hostility toward African immigrants in South Africa. The tensions have reportedly been fuelled by restrictions on access to essential services such as health and education introduced in recent months.

Foreign nationals in South Africa are also facing growing pressure from vigilante anti-immigrant groups issuing ultimatums for foreigners to leave the country before June 30, 2026.

Despite the unrest, the South African Police Service has assured the public of efforts to arrest and prosecute perpetrators, stressing that the violence does not represent the position of the government. President Cyril Ramaphosa, in a statement, reaffirmed the state’s commitment to addressing immigration challenges and maintaining law and order.

He noted that the Border Management Authority and the Defence Force intercepted over 450,000 individuals attempting to enter South Africa illegally in the past financial year, and reiterated plans to deploy up to 10,000 labour inspectors to ensure compliance with immigration and labour laws.

Meanwhile, Ghana has already begun relocating affected nationals. One such case is Emmanuel Asamoah, a nail technician who became a victim of a xenophobic confrontation. He has since received support from business mogul Ibrahim Mahama to establish a cement and hardware distribution venture in Ghana.

Source: Diplomatic Times