Minister for Foreign Affairs Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has disclosed that the government expended GHC49.72 million to evacuate 1,900 of its citizens from high-risk areas amid xenophobic violence in South Africa.
The operation, carried out in two phases, was triggered by widespread reports of harassment, looting, property destruction, and targeted attacks on African migrants, particularly in Durban and other commercial hubs.
The largest portion of the expenditure, GHC38.84 million, covered chartered flights, commercial air tickets, ground transportation, accommodation, feeding, and emergency medical care for evacuees.
An additional GHC10.80 million was allocated for reintegration support and transportation allowances to help returnees resettle.
A further GHC84,274 was used to repatriate the remains of two Ghanaians who lost their lives during the unrest.
The second phase of the evacuation, recently concluded, brought home approximately 1,000 Ghanaians who had voluntarily registered for repatriation.
This followed an earlier exercise in May and June, during which 979 citizens were evacuated in three separate batches, bringing the total number of returnees to 1,900.
In a Facebook post on Friday, September 4, Mr. Ablakwa underscored the government’s unwavering commitment to citizen protection, stating: “We achieved this together as Ghanaians.
Our message is clear: we value the lives of Ghanaians everywhere in the world, and no Ghanaian will be abandoned in harm’s way.”
Beyond the evacuation, returnees received comprehensive reintegration packages, including financial and transport support, medical and psychosocial care, free health insurance registration, and ongoing employment assistance.
The Minister also extended condolences to the families of four Ghanaians who tragically died during the violence, reaffirming the nation’s solidarity with those affected.
