Church of Pentecost sheltered 500 Ghanaians fleeing xenophobic attacks in South Africa

The Church of Pentecost sheltered around 500 Ghanaians who fled their homes due to xenophobic attacks in South Africa, according to the Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa. This humanitarian act was revealed during a meeting between Ablakwa and the church's chairman, Apostle Dr Eric Nyamekye, in Accra on August 12.

The affected Ghanaians sought refuge at church branches in Johannesburg, Pretoria West, and Kempton Park. The church provided shelter, food, and clothing to the 500 Ghanaians for approximately two months before Ghana's government evacuated them as part of their ongoing safety efforts. In addition to accommodation, the church supplied the affected nationals with food and clothing during their stay.

The Foreign Affairs Minister expressed gratitude to the Church of Pentecost for their compassionate response to Ghanaians in distress, praising the church's consistent humanitarian assistance to Ghanaians abroad, including during the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the COVID-19 pandemic. The government and the Church of Pentecost have also agreed to enhance their collaboration in providing consular assistance to Ghanaians living overseas, leveraging the church's extensive international presence.

So far, over 1,600 Ghanaians have been safely evacuated from South Africa, with the evacuation process still ongoing.