Ghana Spent GH¢49.7M to Evacuate 1,964 Citizens from South Africa

By Emmanuel Nii Abordai Amoo

The Government of Ghana spent GH¢49,721,786.00 to safely evacuate 1,964 Ghanaian nationals from South Africa following a wave of targeted xenophobic violence against foreign workers.

Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa disclosed the detailed financial breakdown during a press briefing on Monday, September 7, emphasizing the administration’s commitment to public transparency and post-crisis accountability.

The comprehensive budget covered chartered emergency flights, ground transit, short-term hotel accommodations, daily meals, emergency healthcare, medical repatriation, and direct post-arrival cash grants.

Expenditure Breakdown and Private Partnership

Minister Ablakwa revealed that the state fully settled all expenses incurred during the operation, leaving zero outstanding debt liabilities. Out of the overall GH¢49.72 million spent, GH¢38.84 million covered chartered flights, transit tickets, ground transportation, meals, hotel accommodation in South Africa, and emergency hospitalization costs. An additional GH¢10.80 million went directly into reintegration and transportation allowances for the returnees, while GH¢84,274 was spent to repatriate the remains of two Ghanaian nationals who tragically lost their lives during the crisis.

To fund the emergency operation, the government provided GH¢33.72 million directly from state coffers, while private firm Engineers and Planners owned by prominent Ghanaian businessman Ibrahim Mahama contributed GH¢16 million. Ablakwa commended Mahama’s timely intervention and sustained commitment to public welfare.

Direct Citizen Support and Comprehensive Aftercare

Each of the 1,964 returning citizens received direct financial aid totaling GH¢5,500 upon landing, comprising a GH¢5,000 reintegration grant to rebuild initial livelihoods alongside a GH¢500 local transportation allowance to reach their home communities.

Beyond monetary grants, the Ministry coordinated a multi-agency post-arrival welfare package to help evacuees recover from physical trauma and displacement. State psychologists and civil society groups provided dedicated trauma counseling alongside immediate health screenings by Port Health and instant National Health Insurance Scheme registrations. Returning nationals also received emergency food packages from the National Buffer Stock Company, hot meals from the Red Cross and International Organization for Migration, pre-loaded SIM cards from local telecom providers, and temporary shelter arranged by the Church of Pentecost across Pretoria, Kempton Park, and Johannesburg.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is now designing long-term economic empowerment programs to assist returnees in establishing permanent businesses and re-integrating into the domestic workforce.