Ghana Resumes Evacuation of Citizens From South Africa Over Xenophobic Attacks

The Government of Ghana has announced the resumption of the next phase of evacuating Ghanaian citizens from South Africa as renewed xenophobic attacks continue to threaten the safety of migrants in the country.

In a press release issued on Saturday, July 25, 2026, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the evacuation exercise will officially begin on Sunday, July 26, 2026, with the first batch of returnees expected to arrive at Kotoka International Airport in Accra on Sunday, July 26, and Monday, July 27, 2026.

According to the Ministry, the latest phase of the humanitarian exercise is expected to evacuate approximately 1,000 Ghanaians and will be carried out in groups to ensure an orderly and safe return process.

The Ministry explained that the evacuation will commence with Ghanaians who have already registered with the Ghana High Commission in Pretoria to voluntarily return home with assistance from the Government of Ghana.

As part of the government’s humanitarian policy, priority will be given to women, children, the elderly, persons living with medical conditions, and students. The Ministry appealed to distressed Ghanaians still in South Africa to contact the Ghana High Commission on 0723681010 for enquiries and support with travel arrangements.

The Government also expressed profound appreciation to the Ghanaian leadership of the Church of Pentecost in Pretoria and Johannesburg, as well as Global Kingdom Investment Pty. Ltd., for their generosity in providing shelter free of charge to many Ghanaian nationals who fled their homes during the unrest and remained there while awaiting processing by the Ghana High Commission.

The Ministry further disclosed that the Government of Ghana, together with its High Commission in Pretoria, has reactivated its emergency consular response to ensure all Ghanaian nationals in South Africa who wish to return home receive the necessary support and assistance.

It urged all Ghanaians currently living in South Africa to remain calm, stay away from areas experiencing unrest, avoid responding to provocations, and cooperate fully with officials of the Ghana High Commission to facilitate a smooth and successful evacuation exercise, similar to the first phase.

The Ministry stressed that the evacuation forms part of Ghana’s commitment to protecting its citizens abroad during emergencies and reaffirmed the government’s determination to ensure that every Ghanaian in danger is brought home safely.

“Government assures that we shall leave no Ghanaian behind in harm’s way,” the statement concluded.