Xenophobic attacks: Ghana spent GH¢49.72m evacuating 1,900 citizens from South Africa

By: Hubeyidatu Mumuni

The government has spent GH¢49.72 million to evacuate 1,900 Ghanaians from South Africa following renewed xenophobic attacks targeting African migrants.

Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, disclosed that GH¢38.84 million of the expenditure covered chartered flights, air tickets, ground transportation, feeding, accommodation and medical care for citizens evacuated during the exercise.

A further GH¢10.80 million was spent on reintegration support and transportation allowances, while GH¢84,274 was used to repatriate the mortal remains of two Ghanaians who died during the unrest.

Mr Ablakwa said the government had successfully completed the second phase of the evacuation, bringing home about 1,000 Ghanaians who had voluntarily registered to return to the country.

The latest exercise followed an earlier evacuation conducted in May and June, during which 979 Ghanaians were brought back in three batches.

The two exercises have therefore resulted in the return of about 1,900 Ghanaians from South Africa.

In a Facebook post on Friday, September 4, the Minister said the evacuation demonstrated the government’s commitment to protecting Ghanaians who find themselves in dangerous situations outside the country.

“We achieved this together as Ghanaians. Our message is clear: we value the lives of Ghanaians everywhere in the world, and no Ghanaian will be abandoned in harm’s way,” Mr Ablakwa said.

The evacuation became necessary following reports of harassment, intimidation, looting, destruction of property and attacks on African migrants, particularly in Durban and other commercial centres in South Africa.

According to Mr Ablakwa, the returnees were provided with a range of support services to help them settle back into life in Ghana.

These included reintegration financial assistance, transportation allowances, medical and psychosocial support, free registration for the National Health Insurance Scheme and ongoing employment assistance.

The Minister also expressed condolences to the families of four Ghanaians who lost their lives during the unrest.

The government’s intervention, he said, was aimed not only at ensuring the safe return of affected citizens but also at supporting their reintegration and helping them rebuild their lives after the ordeal.