GH¢38m travel expenses, GH¢10 support: What govt spent to evacuate Ghanaians from SA

Fresh figures surrounding Ghana’s evacuation of citizens from South Africa have triggered questions over how much the government spent to bring affected Ghanaians home — and how much direct support they received after arrival.

The government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has been undertaking an evacuation exercise for Ghanaians affected by xenophobic attacks and unrest in parts of South Africa.

Since May 2026, more than 1,300 Ghanaians had been evacuated, with the government assuring returnees of support to help them restart their lives in Ghana.

The eye-catching figures

The latest discussion centres on the cost of the exercise, with reports putting the overall expenditure at about GH¢38 million.

The amount has raised eyebrows, particularly when compared with the financial assistance provided directly to returnees.

Earlier government disclosures indicated that the first phase, involving 926 Ghanaians, cost approximately GH¢5.1 million, while the second phase, which brought another 1,000 people home, cost about GH¢5.5 million.

The government subsequently continued the evacuation, with the final groups also being brought home.

GH¢10 support? Here’s what the figures actually show

The headline figure referring to GH¢10 appears to relate to the broader expenditure calculation rather than suggesting that each evacuee literally received GH¢10 in cash.

Government previously announced a GH¢5,000 reintegration grant for returnees, in addition to GH¢500 for travel and transportation for each person evacuated.

The Ministry has also said the returnees would be assessed according to their skills and aspirations so they could receive appropriate livelihood and employment support.

Government insists it footed the bill

The Foreign Affairs Ministry has been emphatic that Ghana did not rely on financial or material assistance from South Africa to conduct its evacuation.

The government said the exercise was financed by Ghana and Ghanaian partners, meaning Ghana would not be among the countries asked by South Africa to reimburse costs associated with repatriating foreign nationals.

That clarification became necessary after reports emerged that South Africa was seeking reimbursement from some countries for expenses incurred in repatriating their nationals.

More than 1,300 Ghanaians brought home

By August 4, the Ministry announced that another 150 Ghanaians had arrived safely in Accra, pushing the total number evacuated from South Africa since May to 1,324.

The government described the evacuation as part of its responsibility to protect Ghanaian citizens abroad, particularly amid reports of xenophobic attacks.

Returnees were received at the Kotoka International Airport and were promised assistance with reintegration.

The bigger question

While the government says human life is invaluable and no cost should stand in the way of protecting Ghanaians, the figures have inevitably placed the financial side of the operation under the spotlight.

How much was ultimately spent on flights, buses, logistics, accommodation and other evacuation arrangements?

How much came from the government, and how much came from private-sector partners?

And, perhaps most importantly, how much did each returning Ghanaian actually receive to rebuild their lives?

The Foreign Affairs Ministry has indicated that it will provide a comprehensive account of expenditure and donations received later in the year.

For now, the evacuation may have brought hundreds of distressed Ghanaians safely home — but the millions spent on the operation are likely to remain a subject of intense public scrutiny.