We helped you evacuate Ghanaians but we won't tolerate the public spectacle devoid of diplomatic decorum — South Africa warns Ghana

South Africa has cautioned Ghana over the public presentation of the ongoing evacuation of Ghanaian nationals, warning that it will not tolerate what it described as “public spectacles” surrounding the repatriation process.

The warning comes as hundreds of Ghanaians are being evacuated from South Africa following recent anti-immigrant protests and incidents of violence that have raised safety concerns among foreign communities.

The Ghanaian government began organising repatriation flights last month for citizens who opted to return home amid growing insecurity. The latest evacuation flight was accompanied by images shared by Ghana’s embassy in South Africa, showing evacuees waving national flags as they boarded the aircraft.

However, South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, reacting to a video featuring Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, expressed displeasure over the public framing of the exercise.

“Our initial hope was simply to assist the Government of Ghana in repatriating its citizens in a humane and cordial manner,” Mr Lamola wrote on X.

“However, we will not continue to tolerate… public spectacles, characterised by incomplete information and outright misinformation devoid of any diplomatic decorum.”

South Africa remains a major destination for migrants across Africa, attracting workers due to its relatively stronger economy. However, high unemployment levels, estimated at over 30 percent, have repeatedly fueled tensions and outbreaks of xenophobic violence.

In recent weeks, renewed anti-immigrant demonstrations have intensified concerns among foreign nationals. Public anxiety further escalated after a video allegedly showing the assault of a Ghanaian citizen circulated on social media, prompting urgent evacuation measures.

The repatriation exercise is ongoing, with several flights already completed and more evacuations expected in the coming days as Ghana continues to assist its citizens to return home safely.