{
  "id": 1664262,
  "title": "Xenophobic attacks: Govt commends Church of Pentecost for housing victims in S.A",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/xenophobic-attacks-govt-commends-church-of-pentecost-for-housing",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-18T07:34:23.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Ghanaian Times",
    "slug": "ghanaian-times",
    "url": "https://ghanaiantimes.com.gh/xenophobic-attacks-govt-commends-church-of-pentecost-for-housing-victims-in-s-a/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The government of Ghana has praised The Church of Pentecost for its role in providing shelter and support to over 500 Ghanian nationals who were forced to flee xenophobic attacks in South Africa. The Church took in the stranded citizens for more than two months, offering them free accommodation, food and clothing as they awaited repatriation back to Ghana. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, conveyed the government's appreciation on behalf of President John Dramani Mahama and the Ministry. He emphasized that the Church's intervention was crucial in protecting the Ghanaian expatriates from further harm.\n\nFollowing the incidents, the government initiated a voluntary repatriation exercise, which has since resulted in the safe evacuation of over 600 Ghanaians through commercial flights. This brings the total number of Ghanian citizens repatriated from South Africa since June to more than 1,600. The Ministry aims to continue evacuating more Ghanaians in the coming days until the second phase of the repatriation exercise is completed.\n\nApostle Eric Kwabena Nyamekye, the Chairman of The Church of Pentecost, also commended the government's efforts and called for enhanced cooperation between the Church and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He emphasized the Church's potential to serve as a first responder in crisis situations abroad, especially in countries where Ghana lacks a diplomatic mission. Nyamekye believes that stronger collaboration between the Church and the Ministry would ensure that Ghanaians facing distress while overseas receive timely assistance while the government works to address their challenges.",
  "summary": "The government has commended The Church of Pentecost for providing a critical lifeline to more than 500 Ghanaians who fled xenophobic attacks in South Africa. According to the government, the shelter which homed the returnees for more than two months while they awaited repatriation, was more than a gesture. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel … The post Xenophobic attacks: Govt commends…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Ghanaian Times",
        "title": "EP Church to continue collaboration with govt …Moderator elect assures",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/ep-church-to-continue-collaboration-with-govt-moderator-elect-assures",
        "published": "2026-08-18T07:32:24.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}