Accra, Ghana — A second batch of 345 Ghanaian nationals evacuated from South Africa has arrived safely in Accra as the government continues efforts to assist citizens affected by a resurgence of xenophobic violence and anti-immigrant sentiment in the southern African nation.
The evacuees landed at Accra International Airport on Saturday, June 6, marking another phase of the emergency repatriation exercise coordinated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in collaboration with Ghana’s diplomatic mission in South Africa.
The latest arrivals join approximately 300 Ghanaians who returned home in the first evacuation flight on May 27. That operation was initially scheduled for May 21 but was postponed due to logistical and administrative challenges.
Officials indicated that the second evacuation exercise also experienced delays after the number of citizens requesting repatriation exceeded initial projections. More than 1,500 Ghanaians are reported to have registered for voluntary return, reflecting growing fears within the Ghanaian community in South Africa amid reports of intimidation, attacks, and destruction of property targeting foreign nationals.
Many of the returnees are believed to have abandoned businesses, employment opportunities, and personal belongings in their efforts to escape the increasingly hostile environment. Some had lived and worked in South Africa for several years before the recent wave of xenophobic incidents disrupted their lives.
The Ghanaian government has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting affected citizens and ensuring their safe return home. Authorities are also working to facilitate reintegration measures for the evacuees as they begin rebuilding their lives in Ghana.
The evacuation exercise comes against the backdrop of renewed xenophobic tensions in South Africa, where foreign nationals from several African countries have reportedly faced threats and attacks. Such incidents have repeatedly attracted condemnation from governments, civil society organisations, and human rights groups across the continent, who argue that they undermine African unity and regional cooperation.
Government officials have announced that another flight carrying more than 300 evacuees is expected to arrive in Ghana on Sunday, June 7, as the repatriation programme continues.
