150 more Ghanaians return from South Africa under government's voluntary evacuation programme

Another 150 Ghanaians have returned home from South Africa under the government's voluntary repatriation programme following recent xenophobic attacks against foreign nationals in parts of the country.

The returnees arrived at Kotoka International Airport on Monday, July 27, where they were welcomed by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, together with other government officials.

Addressing the group, Mr Ablakwa assured them that the government would continue to support them as they reintegrate into society, stressing that they should regard their return as a homecoming rather than a displacement.

He emphasised that the government remained committed to protecting the welfare and safety of all Ghanaians, both at home and abroad.

“You have never been orphaned, you have never been refugees, you have never been destitute. You are not people without a home, people without a country, people without a government. You have never been people who do not have loved ones back in Ghana,” he said.

“We are very honoured and privileged to welcome you, our brothers and sisters, back home. We give glory to the Almighty for bringing all of you back safely,” he added.

Mr Ablakwa explained that the latest evacuation forms part of the second phase of the government's repatriation exercise for Ghanaians who opted to return home after concerns over their safety in South Africa.

He recalled that the first phase of the operation, carried out a few months earlier, brought back about 900 Ghanaians from different provinces after many were forced to flee their homes in the wake of the attacks.

“This is the second round of evacuations we are conducting. We did the first round a couple of months ago. We brought in about 900 Ghanaians from various provinces in South Africa who felt unsafe. Some of you came under attack, and some of you fled your homes to seek shelter,” he said.

The Foreign Affairs Minister also commended the Church of Pentecost congregations in Pretoria and Johannesburg for providing temporary accommodation to affected Ghanaians during the crisis.

According to him, the churches suspended their regular activities and opened their premises to serve as shelters for Ghanaians awaiting evacuation.

“The Church of Pentecost demonstrated what Christ taught us and what it means to be Christ-like. They suspended church services and offered their premises to fleeing Ghanaians as shelter while awaiting the government’s evacuation,” he said.

Mr Ablakwa expressed gratitude on behalf of President John Dramani Mahama, the government and the people of Ghana for what he described as the church's exemplary humanitarian support.

He noted that the continued security concerns confronting some Ghanaians in South Africa had made it necessary for the government to undertake a second phase of the voluntary repatriation exercise.