A total of 342 Ghanaian nationals evacuated from South Africa have safely arrived in Accra as the government continues efforts to repatriate citizens affected by recent xenophobic attacks and anti-immigrant demonstrations in the southern African nation.
The returnees arrived aboard the second flight of the second batch of evacuations at the Accra International Airport on Sunday, June 8. Their arrival forms part of an ongoing operation aimed at bringing home Ghanaian citizens who voluntarily requested repatriation amid growing concerns over their safety and wellbeing.
The latest group joins hundreds of other Ghanaians who have already been evacuated under the government’s repatriation programme. On Saturday, June 7, the first flight of the second batch transported 345 evacuees to Ghana.
That earlier group was welcomed by a government delegation led by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, alongside the Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, and the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Agnes Naa Momo Lartey.
Upon the arrival of Sunday’s flight, the delegation was led by Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, James Gyakye Quayson, who received the returnees on behalf of the government.
The evacuation exercise follows an earlier repatriation effort in which approximately 300 Ghanaian nationals returned home on May 27.
Government officials have indicated that the ongoing operation is expected to facilitate the return of more than 1,500 Ghanaians from South Africa, where recent outbreaks of xenophobic violence and anti-immigrant sentiment have affected foreign nationals, including Ghanaians.
Authorities say arrangements remain in place to ensure the safe and orderly return of all registered individuals who have opted to be evacuated.
