President John Dramani Mahama has approved the immediate evacuation of 300 Ghanaian Nationals from South Africa following a renewed wave of xenophobic attacks targeting foreign nationals in parts of the country. The announcement was made on Tuesday, 12 May 2026 by Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, confirming that the evacuation will be coordinated through Ghana’s High Commission in Pretoria.
What that means in practice: 300 Ghanaians who were stranded and fearful enough to formally register with the High Commission for help will now be brought home at the government’s direction. Presidential approval has been granted, logistics are being coordinated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the process is underway.
For Ghanaians in the diaspora watching from abroad, the move signals that the Mahama administration is willing to act when citizens are at risk, rather than issuing advisories and waiting. It also raises harder questions about the wider Ghanaian community still in South Africa who did not register, and whether a single evacuation exercise addresses the root of a problem Ghana has been navigating for years.
Related reading:
What the Minister Said
Ablakwa broke the news via posts on X and Facebook on Tuesday, detailing both the presidential decision and the basis for selecting who qualifies. The 300 individuals were not chosen arbitrarily. They had already taken the step of registering with Ghana’s High Commission in Pretoria after the Foreign Ministry issued a public advisory urging citizens to come forward for possible emergency assistance.
In his own words: “His Excellency John Mahama has granted presidential approval for the immediate evacuation of 300 Ghanaians in South Africa. These distressed Ghanaians had earlier complied with the Foreign Ministry’s advisory and registered with our High Commission in Pretoria to be rescued following the latest wave of xenophobic attacks. The Government of Ghana shall continue to safeguard the welfare of all Ghanaians home and abroad.”
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is expected to release further details on departure timelines and logistics in the coming days. Coordination is being handled jointly by the ministry and Ghana’s diplomatic mission in Pretoria.
Why This Evacuation Is Happening Now
South Africa has seen a fresh escalation of anti-immigrant violence in recent weeks. Two anti-foreigner movements have been at the centre of it: March and March, led by activist Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, and Operation Dudula, fronted by Zandile Dabula. Both groups have organised marches in Johannesburg, Pretoria, and Durban, demanding tighter immigration controls and action against undocumented foreign nationals. Videos showing vigilante attacks on African migrants circulated widely on social media from late March 2026, and France 24 reported that the current wave had killed at least seven people as of 11 May 2026. The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres publicly condemned the violence on 27 April, calling the attacks criminal acts that exploit socioeconomic conditions. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has also spoken out, describing those behind the unrest as “opportunists” and stating that there is “no place in South Africa for xenophobia, ethnic mobilisation, intolerance or violence.”
Ghana’s High Commission in Pretoria responded by issuing a public advisory urging all Ghanaian nationals to exercise heightened caution, avoid protest areas, and formally register with the mission if they required evacuation assistance. The 300 people now approved for evacuation are those who acted on that advisory before the presidential order came through.
South Africa’s history with xenophobic attacks against other African nationals is long and well-documented. The 2008 outbreak left 62 people dead and displaced an estimated 100,000 foreign nationals. The 2019 wave produced widespread attacks on foreign-owned businesses across Johannesburg and Pretoria. Each cycle tends to follow a familiar pattern: rising unemployment and economic inequality get redirected at migrant communities. The 2026 wave has not reached the scale of those earlier incidents, but the pattern is recognisable, and Ghana has clearly decided not to wait for conditions to worsen before acting.
Ghana’s Broader Diplomatic Response
The evacuation is one part of a wider diplomatic campaign that Ghana has been running for weeks. On 24 April 2026, Reuters reported that Ablakwa summoned South Africa’s envoy to Ghana and called for an “intervention to prevent further escalation,” citing a viral incident in KwaZulu-Natal where a Ghanaian national was confronted, asked to prove his legal status, and told to leave and “fix his country.” South African authorities responded by pledging a crackdown, with Foreign Affairs Minister Ronald Lamola stating that violence against migrants was a direct threat to South Africa’s constitutional order.
Ghana then escalated further. Earlier in May 2026, it formally petitioned the African Union Commission to place the recurring issue of xenophobic attacks against African nationals on the agenda of the AU’s Eighth Mid-Year Coordination Meeting, scheduled for 24 to 27 June 2026 in El Alamein, Egypt. The petition described the attacks as a threat to African solidarity, continental integration, and the foundational principles of Pan-African unity.
By taking the matter to the AU, Accra is making clear that it views this not purely as a bilateral problem between Ghana and South Africa, but as a continental governance failure requiring a collective response. Whether the AU acts meaningfully on the petition is a separate question, but Ghana’s position is now formally on record at the highest continental level. The combination of direct bilateral protest, a domestic evacuation order, and an AU-level petition represents a three-track approach: confront Pretoria directly, protect citizens immediately, and build structural accountability through multilateral channels.
What Happens to Evacuated Ghanaians
The government has not yet published a formal reintegration package for returning citizens. In past exercises, evacuated Ghanaians have received consular assistance at the point of departure and reception support on arrival at Accra’s international airport. The current evacuation is coordinated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and returnees should engage the ministry directly for information about any support programmes in place.
Many of the 300 individuals are likely to include traders and informal workers whose South African livelihoods have been disrupted or destroyed. Arriving home without income, business assets, or an immediate plan is a real challenge. Social protection agencies under the government are the appropriate first stop for anyone seeking assistance, though specific programmes for this cohort have not yet been announced as of 12 May 2026.
Returnees with documentation concerns should note that the government recently announced passport processing reforms designed to reduce wait times. Anyone with an expired passport should start the renewal process as soon as possible.
Advice for Ghanaians Still in South Africa
The 300 cleared for evacuation are only those who registered with the High Commission before the order was issued. Many thousands of Ghanaian nationals remain in South Africa and are not part of this exercise. For anyone intending to stay, these steps are worth taking now.
| Action | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Register with Ghana’s High Commission in Pretoria | Places you in the system for emergency evacuation or consular assistance if conditions worsen |
| Avoid areas with active protests or unrest | Conditions can escalate quickly in informal settlement areas; early avoidance reduces direct exposure |
| Keep your Ghanaian passport valid and accessible | Expired documents will complicate any emergency exit; renewal should be initiated early |
| Stay connected with local Ghanaian community associations | Peer networks often carry faster, more specific information about neighbourhood conditions than official advisories |
| Monitor advisories from the Ghana Ministry of Foreign Affairs | Official guidance is updated as the situation changes and is the authoritative source for any future evacuation eligibility |
Anyone weighing a longer-term return to Ghana can also review the Ghana safety and relocation guide for a broader look at what to expect on arrival.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for the current evacuation?
The 300 individuals approved are those who formally registered with Ghana’s High Commission in Pretoria following the Foreign Ministry’s public advisory. If you did not register before 12 May 2026, you are not part of this cohort. No expanded eligibility has been announced as of publication.
Can more Ghanaians be evacuated beyond the 300?
No additional cohort has been confirmed. Ghanaians who wish to be included in any future exercise should register with the High Commission in Pretoria as a precautionary step.
Is South Africa safe for Ghanaians right now?
Conditions vary by city, neighbourhood, and the trajectory of local protest activity. Ghanaians should avoid protest zones, monitor official advisories from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and contact Ghana’s High Commission in Pretoria directly if they feel unsafe. Ghana’s advisory to exercise heightened caution remains in effect as of 12 May 2026.
Will evacuated Ghanaians receive financial support on return?
No specific support package has been announced as of publication. Returnees should engage with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and relevant social protection agencies on arrival in Accra.
How do I contact Ghana’s High Commission in Pretoria?
Contact information is available through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration in Accra. Given likely high enquiry volumes, contacting the ministry directly via official channels is advisable if the High Commission line is congested.
If you are returning to Ghana after time abroad, or seriously considering the move, the practical realities of housing, cost of living, banking, and navigating systems can catch people off guard. Our e-book “250 Things to Know Before Moving to Ghana” covers the ground most guides skip. Get your copy here.
Sources
- Graphic Online: “President Mahama Approves Immediate Evacuation of 300 Ghanaians From South Africa” (12 May 2026)
- MyJoyOnline: “Mahama Approves Evacuation of 300 Ghanaians From South Africa After Xenophobic Attacks” (12 May 2026)
- Adom Online: “Mahama Approves Evacuation of 300 Ghanaians From South Africa Over Xenophobic Attacks” (12 May 2026)
- Sahara Reporters: “Ghana Orders Immediate Evacuation of 300 Citizens From South Africa Over Xenophobic Attacks” (12 May 2026)
- Diplomatic Times Online: “Mahama Approves Evacuation of 300 Ghanaians From South Africa” (12 May 2026)
- Reuters: “South Africa Promises Crackdown on Xenophobic Attacks After Ghana Protests” (24 April 2026)
- Reuters: “African Countries Warn Citizens of Xenophobic Attacks in South Africa” (7 May 2026)
- France 24: “It’s Organised Intimidation: New Wave of Anti-Migrant Violence Sweeps South Africa” (11 May 2026)
