Final Repatriation of Nearly 900 Ghanaians from South Africa to Begin July 25

Ghana’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Benjamin Quashie, has announced that the final phase of the government’s repatriation exercise for Ghanaians affected by recent xenophobic attacks will begin on July 25.

The operation will see nearly 900 Ghanaians who voluntarily registered to return home evacuated from South Africa, bringing the government’s emergency repatriation programme to a close.

Speaking to members of the Ghanaian community in South Africa on Tuesday, July 14, Mr. Quashie said the exercise was made possible through the support of the Office of the President and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, following growing concerns over the safety of Ghanaians caught up in the attacks.

He revealed that about 926 Ghanaians had already been successfully returned to Ghana during earlier phases of the evacuation, with the remaining registered individuals set to travel during the final exercise.

“We are going to do the final repatriation of close to 900 Ghanaians who have voluntarily given their names here in South Africa that they want to go,” Mr. Quashie said.

He explained that the repatriation would be carried out in batches, with flights departing each day until all registered beneficiaries had been transported to Ghana.

Mr. Quashie emphasized that only individuals who had completed the registration and verification process would be eligible for the evacuation. He cautioned those who did not register against reporting to the High Commission in the hope of joining the exercise, stressing that departures would be based solely on approved lists compiled in collaboration with South African authorities.

He also advised registered beneficiaries to wait for official communication from the High Commission before travelling from their respective provinces to the departure point.

According to the High Commissioner, the completion of the final evacuation will mark the end of the government’s large-scale repatriation programme. Any future requests from Ghanaians wishing to return home will instead be handled through the country’s regular consular services.

Mr. Quashie expressed gratitude to President John Dramani Mahama and Minister for Foreign Affairs Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa for supporting the evacuation, describing the initiative as a clear demonstration of the government’s commitment to safeguarding the welfare of Ghanaians living abroad.