The Government of Ghana spent GH¢49.72 million, equivalent to approximately US$4.3 million, to evacuate 1,964 Ghanaian nationals from South Africa following a resurgence of xenophobic attacks and anti-immigrant intimidation, Minister for Foreign Affairs Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has disclosed.
The evacuation exercise, which began in May and concluded on September 4, 2026, was undertaken after Ghanaian nationals became increasingly vulnerable amid a deterioration in the security situation and renewed hostility towards foreign African nationals in parts of South Africa.
Addressing the media at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Accra on Monday, September 7, Mr Ablakwa said the briefing was being held on the authority of President John Dramani Mahama and in fulfilment of the government’s commitment to transparency and accountability.
“I can today report that the total cost of evacuating Ghanaians from South Africa amounted to GH¢49,721,786,” the Foreign Minister stated.
He disclosed that GH¢38,835,512 was spent on chartered flights, commercial flight tickets, ground transportation, feeding, hotel accommodation in South Africa, as well as medical and hospitalisation requirements.
Another GH¢10,802,000 was allocated to reintegration and transportation support for the 1,964 Ghanaians who voluntarily registered to return home.
According to the Minister, each returnee received GH¢5,000 as a reintegration allowance and GH¢500 as transportation support, bringing the total assistance package per beneficiary to GH¢5,500.
A further GH¢84,274 was used to repatriate the mortal remains of two Ghanaian nationals who died during the crisis.
Mr Ablakwa noted that he Government of Ghana financed GH¢33,721,786 of the total cost, while businessman Ibrahim Mahama, through Engineers and Planners, contributed GH¢16 million towards the evacuation exercise.
Mr Ibrahim Mahama also received the commendation of the Government of Ghana for his support towards distressed Ghanaians affected by the xenophobic attacks in South Africa. Beyond the GH¢16 million contribution by Engineers and Planners towards the evacuation exercise, the company committed 100 employment opportunities as part of the government’s broader initiative to secure about 200 jobs for returning evacuees.
Mr Mahama also extended direct support to Emmanuel Asamoah, a Ghanaian who returned from South Africa after suffering alleged xenophobic harassment, by presenting him with GH¢200,000 and pledging to establish a cement and hardware distribution business to help him rebuild his livelihood.
“The Government of Ghana would like to take this opportunity to commend Mr Ibrahim Mahama for his extraordinary commitment to the welfare of Ghanaians,” Mr Ablakwa said.
He added that the entire cost of the evacuation had been fully paid, with no outstanding liabilities arising from the exercise.s.
Beyond the evacuation itself, the returnees received medical screening, food support and psychosocial assistance, while eligible beneficiaries were registered under the National Health Insurance Scheme. The government also assured it would continue to provide support to facilitate the reintegration of the returnees, including assistance with employment opportunities.
The Ministry also acknowledged the contribution of several institutions and partners to the evacuation effort, including the Church of Pentecost in South Africa, which provided shelter and other essential support to Ghanaians awaiting evacuation, as well as AirtelTigo, which provided SIM cards and call credits to returnees.
Mr Ablakwa reaffirmed that the government’s intervention reflected its responsibility to protect Ghanaian citizens abroad, particularly in times of distress.
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