BY NADIA NTIAMOAH
The Government of Ghana has begun another major emergency evacuation operation to bring about 1,000 Ghanaians home from South Africa following renewed xenophobic attacks that have left some migrants displaced and fearing for their safety.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Saturday, July 25, 2026, that the affected Ghanaians would be evacuated in batches, with the first groups expected to arrive at the Kotoka International Airport in Accra on Sunday, July 26, and Monday, July 27.
The operation represents the next phase of government’s intervention following reports of renewed attacks targeting foreign nationals in parts of South Africa.
According to the Foreign Affairs Ministry, the evacuation will initially cover Ghanaians who have registered with the Ghana High Commission in Pretoria and voluntarily indicated their willingness to return home with assistance from the government.
Priority is being given to vulnerable citizens, including women, children, elderly persons, students and people with underlying medical conditions as part of the government’s humanitarian response to the crisis.
The Ministry has consequently appealed to Ghanaians affected by the disturbances who have not yet registered for evacuation to immediately contact the Ghana High Commission in Pretoria.
Emergency consular services have also been reactivated to assist distressed citizens with the necessary documentation and travel arrangements required to return safely to Ghana.
The government said its overriding objective is to ensure that Ghanaian citizens caught up in the disturbances are moved away from danger and provided with the necessary assistance.
“Government assures that we shall leave no Ghanaian behind in harm’s way,” the Ministry declared.
Ghanaian Institutions Offer Refuge
The evacuation exercise comes amid efforts by Ghanaian organisations operating in South Africa to provide emergency accommodation for citizens displaced by the attacks.
The Foreign Affairs Ministry specifically commended the Ghanaian leadership of the Church of Pentecost in Pretoria and Johannesburg as well as Global Kingdom Investment Pty. Ltd. for providing free temporary shelter to affected Ghanaians.
According to the Ministry, the assistance has provided critical relief for citizens who were forced to leave their places of residence and required somewhere safe to stay while awaiting processing by officials of the Ghana High Commission.
The government said collaboration between diplomatic officials and Ghanaian community organisations has become crucial to protecting citizens as arrangements continue for their departure.
