The second batch of Ghanaian nationals evacuated from South Africa due to xenophobic attacks arrived home on Saturday, June 6, 2026.
The evacuees, more than 300, were received on arrival by the key government officials led by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, and his Deputy, James Gyakye Quayson.
Others are Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, and the present were the Directorates of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO).
Welcoming the evacuees, Mr. Ablakwa conveyed warm greetings from President John Dramani Mahama and commended the evacuees for their resilience and courage in the face of the challenges they were confronted with.
He reaffirmed the government’s unwavering commitment to the welfare, dignity and safety of all Ghanaian nationals, stressing that no one would be abandoned in times of distress.
The Minister expressed appreciation to stakeholders, including the Ghana Airport Company Limited, Ghana Civil Aviation Authority, International Organization for Migration (IOM), as well as officials of Ghana’s High Commission in Pretoria, for their coordinated efforts in ensuring a successful evacuation exercise.
He assured the evacuees that arrangements had been made for their medical care, psychosocial support, and reintegration.
According to Mr. Ablakwa, the government is in collaboration with the private sector to facilitate employment opportunities for the evacuees to support their full reintegration.
The Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, reiterated the government’s commitment to the welfare and reintegration of the evacuees.
She encouraged them to take advantage of available opportunities in Ghana and urged them to use their skills and expertise to contribute to national development.
On his part, the Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, urged the evacuees to avail themselves of ongoing national health interventions, including Free Primary Health Care and other health support programmes to facilitate their reintegration.
He indicated that health officials were on standby to conduct medical screening, provide counselling, and respond to emergencies.
The evacuees expressed gratitude to the government for the intervention to ensure their safe return to Ghana and the warm reception extended to them upon their arrival.
