The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has confirmed that 26 Ghanaian nationals who were previously detained in South Africa are among the first batch of 300 evacuees returned to Ghana following recent xenophobic-related unrest.
Speaking after the evacuees arrived in Accra on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, the Minister explained that the individuals had been held in South African prisons largely for immigration-related offences, including visa violations, before being included in the government’s emergency evacuation arrangement.
According to him, the Ghanaian government negotiated with South African authorities to ensure that no affected citizen was left behind in detention as part of the broader repatriation exercise.
“We negotiated with the South African government that since we are evacuating our nationals, we don’t want anybody behind prison, and they agreed with us,” he said.
The evacuation effort comes amid renewed xenophobic tensions in parts of South Africa, where foreign nationals, including Ghanaians, have reportedly faced attacks, intimidation, and destruction of property.
The Foreign Affairs Ministry says it is working closely with Ghana’s diplomatic mission in South Africa and local authorities to ensure the safe return of all affected citizens.
The government has assured continued monitoring of the situation while providing support for returning nationals as part of its emergency response to the crisis.
