Ghana’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Benjamin Quashie, has announced that 410 Ghanaians fleeing xenophobic attacks in South Africa are expected to be evacuated back home over the weekend.
The group will form the second batch of evacuees under Ghana’s ongoing repatriation exercise, following the arrival of 300 returnees at the Accra International Airport on Wednesday, May 27, 2026.
Speaking on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show on Thursday, May 28, Mr Quashie disclosed that preparations were underway for the next evacuation flight.
“The next batch will be of 410 evacuees who have given us their names that they want to go home voluntarily. It is going to be the coming Sunday or Tuesday; we have not fixed the exact date yet, but it should be between these three days,” he said.
According to the High Commissioner, the number of Ghanaians seeking evacuation from South Africa continues to rise amid fears over escalating xenophobic attacks.
He revealed that close to 1,000 Ghanaians have so far completed registration to return home voluntarily.
“As of this morning (Thursday, May 28) I have been briefed that we have almost a thousand plus who have fully registered and have indicated that they want to leave South Africa and go back home,” he noted.
Meanwhile, Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has assured the evacuees that government will support their reintegration upon their return.
Addressing the first batch of returnees at the Accra International Airport on Wednesday, May 27, Mr Ablakwa urged them not to lose hope despite their difficult experiences in South Africa.
“We don’t want any of you to feel brokenhearted, don’t be downhearted, don’t be depressed, have confidence that the almighty has better plans for you,” he told the evacuees.
The evacuation exercise forms part of government efforts to protect Ghanaian nationals living in South Africa following reports of renewed xenophobic violence and insecurity targeting foreign nationals.
