The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced a reintegration support package for Ghanaian nationals being evacuated from South Africa amid ongoing xenophobic tensions.
The first batch of 300 Ghanaians who applied for assistance through the High Commission in Pretoria is expected to be evacuated from South Africa to Ghana tomorrow.
Government says returning nationals will benefit from a reintegration allowance, a welcome-home financial package, transportation support to their respective destinations, and free psychological counselling services. They will also be registered in a special database to facilitate job placement and startup support.
The evacuation exercise forms part of a broader government response to rising insecurity faced by Ghanaian nationals in South Africa, where anti-immigrant protests and sporadic attacks have intensified in recent weeks.
The first batch of 300 Ghanaians is scheduled to be airlifted on May 21, 2026, in a state-sponsored operation that will not impose any cost on evacuees and are expected to take off at 5:00 a.m. via a chartered flight departing from O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg.
The operation, directed under the authority of President John Dramani Mahama, comes as several African countries move to repatriate their citizens amid growing hostility toward foreign nationals in South Africa.
The tensions have been linked to restrictions on access to essential services such as healthcare and education, as well as rising anti-immigrant sentiment in some communities Foreign nationals have also reportedly faced pressure from vigilante groups issuing ultimatums for non-nationals to leave the country by June 30, 2026.
Despite the unrest, the South African Police Service has stated that efforts are ongoing to arrest and prosecute perpetrators, adding that the violence does not reflect the official stance of government.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has reiterated his administration’s commitment to managing immigration challenges, maintaining public order, and strengthening enforcement at national borders. He noted that the Border Management Authority and the South African Defence Force intercepted more than 450,000 individuals attempting to enter the country illegally in the past financial year.
He also announced plans to deploy up to 10,000 labour inspectors to ensure compliance with immigration and labour regulations across workplaces nationwide.
Related Posts
