Written by: Badr Ahmed

On Monday, the Ghanaian government repatriated an additional 150 citizens from South Africa as part of ongoing evacuations of citizens fleeing violence and xenophobic attacks in the country in recent months, bringing the total number of Ghanaians who have returned home since May 2026 to 1,324.

Ghanaian Deputy Foreign Minister James Gyaki Quayson received the returnees upon their arrival at Accra International Airport, in the presence of a number of Foreign Ministry leaders and senior government officials, where he welcomed them and expressed his gratitude for their safe return to their homeland.

Ghana receives a new batch of its citizens returning from South Africa

The Deputy Minister affirmed that the government is committed to providing the necessary support to returnees to ensure their reintegration into their communities, urging them to utilize the skills and experiences they acquired during their stay in South Africa, and to harness them to build their future and contribute to national development efforts within Ghana.

He also urged the returnees not to harbor feelings of hatred towards the people of South Africa despite the harsh experiences they had endured, stressing that the peoples of the African continent are bound by ties of brotherhood and a common destiny, and that strengthening African unity and peaceful coexistence remains a priority that must be maintained.

The Ghanaian official reaffirmed the government's commitment, under the leadership of President John Dramani Mahama, to protecting Ghanaian citizens both within the country and abroad, emphasizing that human safety is a top priority. He added that the government will continue to provide various forms of support to facilitate the resettlement of returnees and help them begin new lives, urging them to maintain the bonds they forged during their journey home and to offer each other mutual support.

He explained that the government will collect data on returnees and classify them according to their skills, specializations and aspirations, with the aim of providing job opportunities and livelihood support programs that suit their needs. He also announced the provision of a financial grant for reintegration, to help them resume their lives after returning.

The Deputy Minister praised the support provided by AirtelTigo and Telecel Ghana through the provision of free communication services to returnees, which contributes to facilitating their integration and stability within the country.

For his part, Philip, the spokesperson for the returnees, expressed his gratitude to President John Dramani Mahama and the Ghanaian government for organizing the evacuation and ensuring their safe return. He also praised the warm welcome and the measures taken by the authorities to facilitate their reintegration into society. He further thanked the Ghanaian Ambassador to Pretoria, Benjamin Kwashi, and members of the diplomatic mission, as well as religious leaders and various other entities that contributed to the success of the evacuation.

Several government agencies participated in receiving the returnees and providing them with support, including the Ghana Armed Forces, the Immigration Authority, the National Disaster Management Organisation, the Ghana Red Cross Society, and the health authorities at the ports, as part of an integrated government plan to ensure their smooth transfer and integration into their communities.