Ghana spends GH¢49.7m to evacuate 1,964 citizens from South Africa
By Ashiadey Dotse The government spent GH¢49.72 million to evacuate 1,964 Ghanaians from South Africa following a wave of xenophobic attacks, Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has announced. Mr Ablakwa disclosed this at a press briefing on Monday, September 7, 2026, where he presented a report on the evacuation and its financial implications. He […]
The Ghanaian government spent GH¢49.72 million to evacuate 1,964 citizens from South Africa following a series of xenophobic attacks, Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa announced on September 7, 2026. Ablakwa stated that Ghana was the first nation to act in response to the crisis, beginning evacuations on May 27 and concluding on September 4 of the same year.
The government footed GH¢33.7 million of the total cost, while the company Engineers and Planners contributed GH¢16 million. The majority of the expenses went towards flights, air tickets, transportation, food, lodging, medical care, and hospitalization, totaling GH¢38.84 million. An additional GH¢10.8 million supported reintegration grants, travel allowances, and repatriating two bodies.
Each evacuee received GH¢5,000 for reintegration and GH¢500 to cover travel and transportation costs. The government also provided free medical screening, health insurance registration, food packages, SIM cards, and psychological support. Four Ghanaians lost their lives during the unrest, and the government is working with South African authorities to hold the perpetrators accountable.
The African Union Commission has acknowledged Ghana's concerns, with the matter set to be discussed at the upcoming AU Summit in January 2027. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is also planning to establish a Ghanaian Diaspora Consular Fund to offer emergency assistance to Ghanaians facing crises globally.
Written by urgent.news from GBC Ghana's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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