“We never knew life was going to be hard like this in Ghana; we can’t even get jobs” — South Africa evacuated couple

A Ghanaian couple who were evacuated from South Africa following renewed xenophobic attacks have reportedly appealed for assistance, saying they are struggling to secure employment and rebuild their lives after returning to Ghana.

The couple, who are among the Ghanaians brought back to the country through the government-led evacuation exercise, reportedly expressed disappointment over their current circumstances and appealed to the authorities and other well-meaning Ghanaians to help them find work.

“We never knew life was going to be hard like this in Ghana. We can’t even get a job,” the couple reportedly said while sharing their difficulties after returning to the country.

Their concerns come months after the Ghanaian government evacuated nationals from South Africa amid renewed anti-foreigner violence, with some Ghanaians reportedly facing harassment, intimidation, attacks and destruction of businesses.

The evacuation began in May 2026. The government initially brought back hundreds of Ghanaians through chartered flights, with the first batch of 300 arriving in Accra on May 27. By September 4, the evacuation exercise had brought home 1,964 Ghanaians through chartered and commercial flights.

Before and during the evacuation, the government announced several measures aimed at helping the returnees settle back into the country. The support package included financial assistance, transportation to their destinations, reintegration support, psychological counselling and access to employment and business opportunities.

The government also announced that about 200 employment opportunities had been secured for affected returnees. According to Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Engineers and Planners Limited had committed to providing 100 jobs, while telecommunications companies including Telecel Ghana and AirtelTigo had also indicated their willingness to provide employment opportunities.

The Information Services Department further reported that returnees who wanted vocational training and employment opportunities would be connected to the National Apprenticeship Programme. The government said all returnees had also been captured in a database to facilitate access to social interventions and employment assistance.

In July, the government said each returnee would receive a GH¢5,000 reintegration grant, a GH¢500 transport allowance, relief items from NADMO and free registration onto the National Health Insurance Scheme. A Presidential Task Force on Reintegration was also established to help connect returnees with employment, entrepreneurship programmes, skills development and business start-up opportunities.