The Government of Ghana is set to evacuate the first batch of 300 citizens from South Africa on Thursday, May 21, 2026, following renewed concerns over safety amid reported xenophobic attacks in parts of the country.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, confirmed the development in a Facebook post on Tuesday, May 19, assuring affected nationals that their welfare remains a top priority of the administration.
He stressed that the protection of Ghanaian citizens abroad is “a non-negotiable priority” for the government led by John Dramani Mahama.
According to the Ministry, the evacuation will be carried out using a specially chartered flight scheduled to depart from O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg at 5:00 a.m. on Thursday.
Officials indicated that the entire operation will be fully funded by the Government of Ghana, meaning affected citizens will not bear any cost for their return.
The evacuation forms part of emergency measures introduced after government approval for the immediate relocation of vulnerable citizens following reports of renewed attacks on foreign nationals.
Earlier, the Foreign Affairs Minister announced on May 12 that preparations were underway to evacuate 300 Ghanaians who had registered with the High Commission in Pretoria after complying with official directives.
The current operation marks the first phase of the evacuation plan aimed at safeguarding Ghanaian nationals caught up in the escalating tensions in South Africa.
