Stranded Ghanaians in South Africa plead for fresh evacuation window

Stranded Ghanaians in South Africa have implored their government to resume the voluntary evacuation program, as they face mounting hardships following its suspension. The decision to terminate the evacuation exercise left 1,964 Ghanians returning home on September 4, after their jobs, businesses, and homes were upended by a resurgence in xenophobic attacks.

Nonetheless, many still in South Africa maintain that conditions have worsened and yearn for another chance to rejoin their families. Margaret Amenuvegbe, a resident of the country for over a decade and a hairdresser by profession, recounted her own experience. She and a group of six others initially registered for the evacuation but were unable to attend the subsequent screening due to reports of overcrowding and inadequate facilities at the evacuation centers, which discouraged them from completing the process.

Ms. Amenuvegbe, speaking on Citi FM, stated that four adults and four children in her immediate group are seeking to return, while several others are also struggling under similar circumstances. She emphasized that individuals without valid work permits are particularly vulnerable and appealed to the government to consider extending the evacuation program to assist those still in distress and in dire need of returning to Ghana.