Ghana Fully Funded Evacuation of Nationals from South Africa – Foreign Affairs Ministry

The Government of Ghana has clarified that it fully funded the evacuation of Ghanaian nationals from South Africa following recent xenophobic attacks, dismissing any suggestion that Ghana will be required to reimburse the South African Government for the repatriation exercise.

In a press statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday, August 13, 2026, the Ministry said it had taken note of media reports indicating that the Government of South Africa was seeking reimbursement of about US$18 million from several African countries for support and facilitation provided during the evacuation of foreign nationals from South Africa.

The Ministry, however, stressed that Ghana did not receive financial or material support from the South African Government for the evacuation of its citizens.

“For the avoidance of doubt, Ghana did not seek any financial or material support from the South African Government to bring our fellow nationals back home,” the Ministry stated.

According to the Ministry, the evacuation of Ghanaian nationals was fully funded by the Government of Ghana and Ghanaian partners, with the same arrangement applying to the latest round of evacuations.

The Ministry further disclosed that more than 1,600 Ghanaians have been evacuated from South Africa since May 2026, with the evacuation exercise still ongoing.

It said the Government’s support does not end with bringing the affected nationals back to Ghana. Upon arrival, evacuees are provided with reintegration funds, transport fares and other relief items to assist them in settling back into their communities.

The Ministry said these measures form part of the Government’s broader commitment to ensuring the smooth reintegration and welfare of Ghanaians who have been affected by the situation in South Africa.

The Foreign Affairs Ministry therefore assured Ghanaians that the country would not be listed among the African countries being asked by South Africa to reimburse the costs incurred in repatriating foreign nationals.

The Ministry reiterated the Government’s commitment to protecting the lives and welfare of Ghanaian citizens wherever they may be, particularly when their safety and security are at risk.

It said the Government would continue to take timely and decisive action to protect Ghanaians abroad, regardless of the financial cost involved.

The Ministry also expressed its profound gratitude to President John Mahama and Ghanaian partners for supporting what it described as a fully Ghanaian-funded evacuation of Ghanaian nationals from South Africa.

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