Second Batch of 345 Evacuated Ghanaians Returns from South Africa

A second group of 345 Ghanaian nationals evacuated from South Africa amid rising xenophobic attacks and anti-immigrant tensions has safely arrived in Ghana.

The evacuees landed at Kotoka International Airport on Saturday, June 6, as part of the government's ongoing efforts to repatriate citizens affected by the deteriorating security situation in South Africa.

Their arrival marks another stage of an evacuation programme being coordinated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ghana’s diplomatic mission in South Africa following growing concerns about the safety of Ghanaian residents in the country.

The latest returnees join hundreds of other Ghanaians who were previously brought home under the same initiative. The first batch, consisting of approximately 300 evacuees, arrived in Ghana on May 27 after an earlier planned departure date was postponed due to logistical and administrative challenges.

Officials indicated that the second evacuation exercise also experienced delays as the number of Ghanaians requesting repatriation exceeded initial expectations.

According to available figures, more than 1,500 Ghanaian nationals registered for the evacuation programme, highlighting the level of concern within the Ghanaian community in South Africa following reports of attacks, intimidation and destruction of property.

Many of those returning are believed to have abandoned businesses, employment opportunities and personal possessions in order to leave what they described as an increasingly hostile environment. Some had lived in South Africa for several years and established livelihoods before the recent wave of xenophobic incidents disrupted their lives.

The repatriation exercise comes amid renewed tensions in South Africa, where foreign nationals from various African countries have reportedly faced harassment, threats and attacks. Such incidents have repeatedly attracted criticism from governments and human rights organisations, which argue that they undermine African solidarity and regional integration.

Meanwhile, authorities expect another flight carrying more than 300 evacuees to arrive in Ghana on Sunday, June 7, as the evacuation operation continues.