Ghana completes GH¢49.7M evacuation of citizens from South Africa

Ghana has concluded a large-scale evacuation of approximately 1,964 citizens from South Africa following waves of xenophobic violence. Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa announced that the operation, which ran from May to September 2026, cost a total of GH¢49.72 million. This total includes GH¢33.7 million from the government and GH¢16 million in private support from Engineers & Planners.

The expenditure covered chartered flights, ground transport, medical care, and accommodation, as well as GH¢10.80 million for reintegration assistance, which provided returnees with GH¢5,500 each. The government also reported spending GH¢84,274 to repatriate the remains of two citizens.

While the official exercise ended on September 4, some stranded Ghanaians have appealed for a second window. These individuals reported they missed the initial screening due to concerns regarding overcrowding and poor conditions at evacuation centers. Meanwhile, the Ghanaian government is pursuing legal and diplomatic channels to seek justice for four citizens who died during the unrest in South Africa.

In Parliament, the Minority has called for a detailed, itemized breakdown of the GH¢49.7 million expenditure to ensure transparency and accountability regarding the use of public funds.