Xenophobic attacks: Ghana completes evacuation of 1,900 citizens from South Africa

Ghana has successfully completed the evacuation of nearly 1,900 citizens stranded in South Africa, following a wave of xenophobic attacks and growing unease over the safety of its nationals abroad. The final group of 41 evacuees landed in Accra on September 4, 2026, concluding a government-led operation that had been ongoing since May.

Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa announced that the returnees will be provided with comprehensive reintegration support, which includes financial assistance, healthcare, psychosocial support, and employment assistance. This assistance is part of the government's response to the violence that had raised concerns about the wellbeing of Ghanaian nationals in South Africa.

In addition to the evacuees, the government also repatriated the remains of two Ghanaians who tragically lost their lives during the attacks. The reintegration measures were designed to facilitate the returnees' smooth transition back into their communities and help them re-establish their livelihoods.

With the completion of the evacuation exercise, the government announced that all Ghanaians under the government-led program have now been safely brought back to Ghana.