Ghana deserves commendation for evacuating 1,964 citizens from South Africa- Ablakwa

Ghana's Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, expressed high praise for the country's swift evacuation of 1,964 citizens from South Africa, where tensions had escalated due to concerns of xenophobic attacks. This commendation came during an interview on TV3’s The Key Points on October 10, 2026, as Ablakwa responded to recent reports of rising tensions in South Africa following a court ruling regarding asylum seekers.

Ablakwa highlighted the lingering presence of anti-immigrant sentiments in South Africa, emphasizing the urgent need for Ghana to protect its citizens residing there. The minister noted that, despite previous instances of xenophobic attacks in South Africa, this was the first occasion the Ghanaian government had swiftly dispatched its citizens who had registered to leave the country.

According to Ablakwa, the evacuation process involved bringing home Ghanaians who felt unsafe, were under attack, or sought refuge at Ghana's diplomatic mission in Pretoria and the Pentecost Church. He personally praised the leadership of the Pentecost Church on behalf of President John Dramani Mahama for providing refuge to some of the affected Ghanaians.

Ablakwa stressed that the evacuation exercise was conducted impartially, with no political or regional discrimination, and that every Ghanaian who qualified and registered was eligible for assistance. He clarified that one did not need to disclose their political affiliation or their specific region within Ghana to qualify for the assistance provided.

Ablakwa reaffirmed the Foreign Affairs Ministry's dedication to safeguarding Ghanaians abroad, declaring that any attack on a Ghanaian anywhere in the world would be deemed an attack on the entire nation. He further stated that the government would continue to mobilize resources to protect citizens facing danger outside Ghana. Through these actions, Ghana demonstrated its commitment to protecting its citizens abroad, ensuring their safety and well-being in the face of global challenges.