The first batch of Ghanaians being evacuated from South Africa is expected to arrive in Accra on Wednesday, May 27, according to Ghana’s High Commissioner to South Africa.
Ghana’s High Commissioner, Benjamin Quashie, said the evacuation is being carried out in response to renewed xenophobic attacks affecting Ghanaians and other foreign nationals in parts of South Africa.
Speaking in an interview with DW Africa on Sunday, May 24, he said Ghanaian authorities, in collaboration with South African officials, are currently conducting screening and verification exercises to finalise the list of evacuees for the first flight.
He explained that officials are working around the clock to ensure all procedures are completed ahead of the scheduled departure.
“We are screening them, and once we are done, we will let them know the number of people who will be going to Ghana,” he said, adding that between 200 and 300 people are expected in the first group.
Mr. Quashie noted that the South African Department of Home Affairs is assisting with arrangements to facilitate departure scheduled for Wednesday, May 27, at 6 a.m. local time.
He further revealed that the evacuation will continue beyond the first flight, with additional arrangements already in place to transport more Ghanaians who have requested to return home due to safety concerns.
According to him, the first aircraft has a capacity of about 300 passengers, with two more flights planned in the days following to ensure all affected citizens are repatriated.
The initial evacuation was originally scheduled for May 21 but was postponed due to a higher-than-expected number of Ghanaians registering for repatriation.
The exercise comes amid renewed concerns over the safety of foreign nationals in South Africa following reports of xenophobic violence in some areas.
