Ghana Spent GH¢49.7m to Evacuate 1,964 Nationals From South Africa

The Government of Ghana spent GH¢49.72 million to evacuate 1,964 Ghanaians from South Africa following a wave of xenophobic attacks and threats to the safety of foreign nationals, Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has disclosed. The evacuation exercise, which began on May 27 and ended on September 4, 2026, involved charter and commercial flights and culminated in the arrival of the final batch of 41 Ghanaians in Accra. The exercise was undertaken after the government assessed the security situation and offered voluntary evacuation to affected nationals. According to Mr Ablakwa, the total cost covered flights and ground transportation, food, accommodation, medical and hospitalisation requirements, reintegration support, transportation allowances and the repatriation of the remains of two Ghanaian nationals who died in South Africa. Of the total expenditure, GH¢38.84 million went into charter flights, tickets, transportation, food, accommodation and medical-related expenses, while GH¢10.8 million was provided as reintegration and transportation allowances to the 1,964 returnees. Each evacuee received GH¢5,000 as a reintegration grant and GH¢500 for transportation, in addition to medical screening, health insurance registration and psychosocial support. The Minister said the government financed GH¢33.72 million of the total cost, while GH¢16 million was donated by Engineers and Planners to support the exercise. The government's response also received significant support from the private sector and other institutions. Engineers and Planners, led by businessman Ibrahim Mahama, contributed GH¢16 million towards the evacuation exercise, reducing the direct cost borne by government to GH¢33.72 million. Telecommunications companies AirtelTigo and Telecel Ghana also supported the returnees by providing free SIM cards loaded with data and money, allowing evacuees to reconnect with their families and access essential services immediately after arriving in Ghana. The Minister also acknowledged support from other institutions, including the Church of Pentecost, which provided accommodation and assistance to stranded Ghanaians in South Africa, and other agencies involved in receiving and supporting the returnees. Mr Ablakwa said the broad support demonstrated the importance of collective national action when Ghanaians are confronted with crises abroad. 'We have demonstrated that we can achieve so much when we come together and when we are united. Our creed is not in doubt. You touch one, you touch all. Team Ghana is the winner in this entire evacuation exercise.' The government has meanwhile confirmed that the GH¢49.72 million total cost of the evacuation has been fully paid, with no outstanding liabilities. The evacuation, which began on May 27 and ended on September 4, brought 1,964 Ghanaians back home. The government is now focusing on their reintegration, including linking returnees to employment, entrepreneurship, skills development, and other economic opportunities. Like this: Like Loading…