Government grants GH¢5,500 reintegration support to Ghanaians evacuated from South Africa

The Government has announced a GH¢5,500 reintegration grant for every Ghanaian evacuated from South Africa following recent xenophobic attacks, as part of a broader support package to help returnees rebuild their lives.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, announced the intervention at a media briefing in Accra on Monday.

He noted that the grant forms part of a comprehensive reintegration programme for Ghanaians who returned home after fleeing violence in South Africa.

He said each evacuee would receive a GH¢5,000 reintegration grant and a GH¢500 travel and transport allowance to help meet immediate expenses after arriving in Ghana.

Mr Ablakwa said the government had also provided relief items through the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), free registration under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), and SIM registration services with voice and data support from AirtelTigo and Telecel.

According to him, the assistance is intended to reduce the immediate economic difficulties faced by returnees who were forced to abandon their homes, businesses and livelihoods because of the attacks.

He noted that before they departed from South Africa, Ghana's High Commission in Pretoria provided temporary accommodation, feeding, welfare support and logistical assistance to affected citizens.

The Minister said government recognises that evacuation alone does not end its responsibility to citizens affected by the violence.

He explained that psychologists and trauma counsellors have been deployed to support returnees upon arrival and through follow-up community sessions. Faith-based organisations and civil society groups have also partnered with government to provide emotional and spiritual support.

Mr Ablakwa disclosed that government is developing longer-term measures to help returnees regain economic independence.

He said all evacuees would be enrolled in a special national database to connect them with employment opportunities, entrepreneurship support, skills development programmes and startup initiatives in collaboration with relevant ministries and private sector organisations.

To coordinate these efforts, he said a multi-agency Presidential Task Force on Reintegration has been established, bringing together the Ministries of Employment and Labour Relations, Education, Trade and Industry, Gender and Social Protection, and Local Government.

The task force, he said, has already begun skills mapping by conducting detailed interviews with adult returnees to assess their professional backgrounds, entrepreneurial experience and future aspirations.

Mr Ablakwa revealed that about 200 employment opportunities have already been secured through partnerships with Ghanaian businesses, including a commitment by Engineers and Planners Limited to provide 100 jobs. Additional opportunities have also been pledged by Telecel Ghana, AirtelTigo and other private sector organisations.

He added that social workers would continue to monitor the welfare of returnees through regular visits during their first six months back in Ghana, while a dedicated helpline has been established to support those experiencing mental health challenges.

The Minister further announced that government is creating a register of claims for Ghanaians who lost businesses, investments and other property during the attacks. He said the register would support legal and diplomatic efforts to pursue compensation on behalf of affected citizens.

Providing an update on the evacuation exercise, Mr Ablakwa said 926 Ghanaians who opted for voluntary evacuation were flown home from Johannesburg during the first phase in three chartered flights on May 27 and June 6 and 7, 2026.

He said the second phase, which began on July 26, is expected to cover another 1,000 Ghanaians. So far, 132 nationals have returned on commercial flights, while 84 more were expected to arrive by July 28.

Mr Ablakwa expressed appreciation to the leadership of the Church of Pentecost in Pretoria and Johannesburg and Global Kingdom Investment Pty. Ltd. for providing free shelter to displaced Ghanaians while arrangements were made for their return to Ghana.

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