4,972 Ghanaians repatriated from abroad since 2025 — Ablakwa

A total of 4,972 Ghanaians have been repatriated to the country from various parts of the world since 2025, Minister for Foreign Affairs Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has disclosed.

He said the repatriations were facilitated through interventions by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ghana’s diplomatic missions and international partners to assist citizens who encountered distress or crisis situations abroad.

Addressing journalists on Monday, September 7, Mr Ablakwa said the latest evacuations from South Africa formed part of a broader effort by the government to assist Ghanaians facing difficult circumstances outside the country.

“Beyond the recent evacuations from South Africa, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, its diplomatic missions and our international partners have actively intervened across multiple countries to repatriate Ghanaians in distress. Since 2025 to date, a total of 4,972 Ghanaians have been successfully repatriated to Ghana.

“This figure is an accumulation of the following: 3,807 from Libya, 440 from Côte d’Ivoire (victims of QNET and demolition exercise), 246 from Nigeria (QNET victims), 244 from Cambodia, 201 from Algeria, 18 from Kuwait, 8 from Sierra Leone, 5 from Mauritius, 2 from Morocco and 1 from Iraq,” he stated.

According to the Foreign Affairs Minister, the repeated repatriation exercises have placed considerable financial and logistical pressure on the government, underscoring the need for a dedicated Ghanaian Diaspora Consular Fund.

He explained that the proposed fund would provide a sustainable emergency financing mechanism to enable the government to mobilise resources quickly whenever Ghanaians abroad are faced with distress or crisis situations.

Mr Ablakwa said the initiative would strengthen Ghana’s capacity to protect the rights, dignity and welfare of its citizens outside the country.

The Minister also cautioned Ghanaians, particularly the youth, against illegal recruitment agencies and human trafficking networks that deceive people with promises of lucrative employment and better opportunities abroad.

He said similar recruitment schemes had contributed to some Ghanaians becoming involved in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, resulting in deaths and detentions.

“It is a similar situation that has led to 62 Ghanaians losing their lives in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, with another 15 missing.”

Mr Ablakwa further disclosed that 2 Ghanaians were currently being held by Ukrainian authorities as prisoners of war, adding that negotiations for their release were progressing positively.

He said the government had intensified measures to clamp down on illegal recruitment agencies and human trafficking networks involved in exploiting unsuspecting Ghanaians seeking opportunities abroad.