The first batch of 300 Ghanaian citizens evacuated from South Africa arrived in Accra on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, following weeks of rising anti-immigrant protests and deadly xenophobic attacks targeting foreign nationals. This large-scale **Ghana evacuates citizens from South Africa** operation marks one of the country’s biggest repatriation efforts in recent years.
In plain terms, Ghana’s government stepped in to bring home citizens who felt their safety could no longer be guaranteed, after reports of harassment, looting of foreign‑owned businesses, and vigilante actions against migrants in parts of South Africa.
This evacuation matters because it represents a significant diplomatic and humanitarian response to a recurring continental crisis. More than 800 Ghanaians registered for voluntary repatriation, and officials have confirmed that a second, larger batch of evacuees (400‑500 people) is already being processed for arrival between May 31 and June 2, 2026.
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President Approves Immediate Evacuation
President John Dramani Mahama approved the immediate evacuation of the first 300 Ghanaians on May 13, 2026, after a fresh wave of xenophobic attacks against foreign nationals in parts of South Africa. The announcement was made by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, who stated that the evacuees were among those who had heeded an earlier advisory by the ministry and registered with the Ghana High Commission in Pretoria.
The evacuation followed weeks of growing tension, during which several foreign‑owned businesses were reportedly looted, and some victims were forced to flee their homes and workplaces.
Emotional Arrival in Accra
The first batch of evacuees touched down at Accra International Airport at about 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, aboard a chartered Ethiopian Airlines flight. Emotional scenes unfolded as families and government officials gathered to receive them. Many evacuees were seen waving the Ghana flag and singing patriotic songs, while others shed tears of joy after weeks of fear and uncertainty.
The group included women, children, and 26 persons who had been detained in South Africa for visa violations. South African immigration authorities later disclosed that of the 300 individuals on the list, only 10 were found to be legally resident in the country.
Government Announces Reintegration Package
A government delegation led by Chief of Staff Julius Debrah and Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa officially welcomed the returnees at the airport. Speaking at a short ceremony, Mr. Ablakwa reaffirmed the government’s commitment to protecting Ghanaians abroad and announced immediate support measures for the evacuees.
“Today, the Mahama Administration is demonstrating that wherever Ghanaians are, we will make sure you are protected, your dignity is respected, and we will go the length of this world to bring you back home safely,” Mr. Ablakwa said.
The government promised each returnee a transportation allowance to reach their hometowns and a special reintegration package to help them restart their lives. In addition, the evacuees will receive psychosocial support and will be included in a database for job and startup opportunities.
Diplomatic Tensions and South Africa’s Response
The evacuation has underscored growing diplomatic tensions between Accra and Pretoria. Ghana’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Benjamin Quashie, said the decision to evacuate came after South African authorities took an “entrenched position” and the unrest continued despite initial engagements and proposed solutions.
“We realised that in our engagement with the South African authorities, while we were offering solutions to what was happening, they took an entrenched position,” he explained.
South African authorities have consistently denied that anyone was attacked, claiming that widely circulated videos of xenophobic incidents were fake. In a statement last week, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa described the recent “protests and criminal acts directed at foreign nationals” as “isolated acts of criminality” that do not reflect government policy.
Ghana and Nigeria have both recently summoned South African envoys over the mistreatment of their citizens. Ghana has also formally requested the African Union to discuss the issue, saying it poses a “serious risk to the safety and wellbeing” of Africans in South Africa.
What Comes Next: More Evacuation Flights
The evacuation exercise is far from over. More than 800 Ghanaians have voluntarily registered to return home, and officials say a second batch of approximately 400 to 500 evacuees is expected to arrive from May 31 to June 2, 2026.
According to Fred Duho, Media Liaison Officer for the Foreign Ministry, the upcoming group is likely larger than the first, requiring at least three separate evacuation phases in total. Registration remains open, and the government has clarified that the evacuation covers all willing Ghanaians, regardless of their legal immigration status in South Africa.
“For us, any Ghanaian in South Africa who is asking to be repatriated home is our concern, whether you have papers or not. We are going to do everything within our power and mandate to bring you home, if you are willing to come home,” Duho stressed.
The latest evacuations have once again drawn attention to recurring xenophobic violence in South Africa, where migrants from several African countries have periodically faced attacks during periods of economic hardship and social tension. With unemployment in South Africa hovering above 30%, foreign nationals are often blamed for crime and pressure on public services, fueling periodic outbursts of deadly anti-immigrant violence.
Sources
- BBC News: “Ghana to evacuate 300 citizens from South Africa over anti-immigrant protests” (May 13, 2026)
- Information Services Department: “Mahama Approves Evacuation of 300 Ghanaians From South Africa Amid Xenophobic Attacks” (May 13, 2026)
- Graphic Online: “300 Ghanaians arrive home from South Africa” (May 28, 2026)
- Al Jazeera: “Ghana welcomes first group fleeing South African anti-immigration protests” (May 27, 2026)
- 3News: “290 of the 300 Ghanaians repatriated from South Africa were there illegally – Officials” (May 27, 2026)
- Starr FM: “Xenophobia: Gov’t to evacuate 500 more Ghanaians from South Africa – Foreign Ministry” (May 28, 2026)
- Citi Newsroom: “South Africa’s entrenched stance forced evacuation of Ghanaians — Benjamin Quashie” (May 28, 2026)
