A flight carrying the first batch of 300 Ghanaians evacuated from South Africa following recent xenophobic attacks touched down at Accra International Airport at approximately 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 27, 2026. The evacuees were brought home after the Government of Ghana launched an emergency evacuation operationin response to escalating tensions and attacks against foreign nationals in parts of South Africa.The exercise followed an advisory issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs urging distressed Ghanaians living inSouth Africa to register with Ghana’s High Commission in Pretoria for support and possible evacuation.
Earlier this month, Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa announced that President John Dramani Mahama had authorised the immediate evacuation of 300 Ghanaians affected by the violence. In a social media update on Wednesday morning, Mr Ablakwa confirmed that the evacuees had departed from Johannesburg to Accra and assured the public that the government remained committed to safeguarding Ghanaians abroad.
He previously explained in a Facebook post that the affected citizens had complied with the Foreign Ministry’s directive by registering with Ghana’s diplomatic mission in Pretoria for rescue assistance following the latest outbreak of xenophobic attacks.
The recent unrest in South Africa has been linked to renewed anti-immigration demonstrations and rising frustrations over unemployment, crime, and pressure on public services, with foreign nationals becoming targets in several communities. Public concern intensified in April after videos circulated online showing some foreign nationals, including Ghanaians, being harassed and asked to provide immigration documents by groups of South Africans. In response, the Government of Ghana condemned the attacks, summoned South Africa’s ambassador, and called for immediate action to ensure the protection of Ghanaian citizens residing in the country.
Reports indicate that more than 800 Ghanaians have registered with Ghana’s High Commission in Pretoria for evacuation support, while authorities say additional evacuation flights could be arranged in the coming days.
