Ghana is to evacuate about 1,000 of its citizens from South Africa amid xenophobic attacks targeting migrants in parts of the country. The operation, which is expected to take place in phases, will begin with those who have already registered with the Ghana High Commission in Pretoria and expressed their willingness to return home under the government's assisted evacuation programme.
Evacuation Plans in Motion
According to a press release issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Saturday, July 25, the first group of evacuees is expected to arrive in Accra on Sunday, July 26, with another batch scheduled to arrive on Monday, July 27, 2026. The Ministry said priority will be given to vulnerable groups, including women, children, elderly persons, individuals with medical conditions, and students.
The Ghana High Commission in Pretoria has reactivated its emergency consular response to support nationals affected by the unrest and coordinate their safe return. The Ministry has made 0723681010 available as the contact number for affected persons seeking assistance. It has also urged Ghanaian nationals in South Africa who require assistance to contact the High Commission for information on travel arrangements and other enquiries related to the evacuation exercise.
Government's Commitment to Safety
The government has assured citizens that every effort will be made to assist those seeking to return home safely. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has appealed to Ghanaians residing in South Africa to remain calm, avoid areas experiencing unrest, refrain from engaging in provocations, and cooperate fully with officials of the High Commission throughout the evacuation process. The measures are intended to ensure that the humanitarian operation proceeds smoothly, building on lessons learnt during an earlier phase of evacuations.
The government has also acknowledged organisations that have provided support to displaced Ghanaians during the crisis. The Ghanaian leadership of the Church of Pentecost in Pretoria and Johannesburg, as well as Global Kingdom Investment Pty Ltd., have made their premises available free of charge as temporary shelters for Ghanaians who fled their homes while awaiting evacuation.
The Way Forward
The evacuation exercise forms part of the government's broader response to the humanitarian situation facing Ghanaians in South Africa. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has stressed that the government remains committed to ensuring the safety and welfare of Ghanaian citizens abroad, particularly those affected by the ongoing violence in South Africa. As the evacuation operation unfolds, many are left wondering what the future holds for the affected individuals and how the government will continue to support them in the days and weeks to come.
Source: Joy Online
