The government spent GH¢49.72 million to evacuate 1,964 Ghanaians from South Africa following a resurgence of xenophobic attacks, Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has disclosed.
Speaking at a media briefing on Monday, September 7, 2026, Mr Ablakwa said the evacuation exercise, which began on May 27 and ended on September 4, was undertaken to protect Ghanaians amid growing threats, intimidation and violence against foreign nationals.
He said the government spent GH¢33.72 million on the operation, while Engineers and Planners, owned by businessman Ibrahim Mahama, contributed GH¢16 million towards the total cost.
The expenditure covered chartered flights and tickets, ground transportation, feeding, accommodation, medical care, reintegration support and the repatriation of the remains of two deceased Ghanaians.
Mr Ablakwa said each returnee received GH¢5,000 as a reintegration grant and GH¢500 as a travel and transport allowance.
Additional assistance included free medical screening, National Health Insurance Scheme registration, food packages, SIM cards loaded with data and airtime, psychosocial support and accommodation provided by partner organisations.
The minister said the government had also enrolled the returnees in a special national database to facilitate access to employment, entrepreneurship support, skills development and start-up opportunities.
Four Ghanaians die amid xenophobic violence
Mr Ablakwa disclosed that four Ghanaians died in connection with the reported violence and difficult circumstances surrounding the attacks in South Africa.
They were Bashiru Issahaq, 44, who was killed in Khayelitsha, Cape Town, on June 30; Kwadwo Antwi, who was murdered in Prieska on July 18; Amoonu Jailor Nash, who was killed in East London on April 3; and Ebenezer Ayi Tawiah, who died upon arrival at the Accra International Airport on August 17 after reportedly being unable to access medical care amid harassment.
The minister said the government, through Ghana’s High Commission in Pretoria, had engaged South African authorities to pursue investigations and ensure that those responsible for the deaths were brought to justice.
He added that the government had formally protested the attacks and raised concerns with South African officials over the safety of Ghanaian nationals.
Ghana petitions African Union
Mr Ablakwa said Ghana had also petitioned the African Union Commission on May 6 to place xenophobic attacks against African nationals in South Africa on the continental agenda.
He said the petition had received the unanimous endorsement of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government and that the African Union Commission had indicated that the matter would be discussed at the AU Summit expected in January 2027.
The minister said the government remained committed to addressing the root causes of xenophobic violence and protecting the rights and dignity of Ghanaian citizens abroad.
Government invites Auditor-General to audit evacuations
As part of its transparency and accountability measures, the Foreign Affairs Ministry said it had made public the names of evacuees, ticket receipts and other relevant documents relating to the operation.
The government also invited the Auditor-General to conduct an audit of all evacuation exercises undertaken since 2017.
Mr Ablakwa said the evacuation was voluntary and aimed at protecting Ghanaians facing distressing circumstances in South Africa, adding that the government considered the protection of citizens’ lives and dignity more important than the financial cost.
He further announced plans to establish a Ghanaian Diaspora Consular Fund to provide emergency assistance to Ghanaians facing crises anywhere in the world.
The minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to transparency, accountability and the welfare of Ghanaians abroad.
