South Africa attacks: Another 150 Ghanaians return home

A total of 150 more Ghanaians have returned home from South Africa under the government’s voluntary repatriation programme following recent xenophobic attacks targeting foreign nationals in parts of the country.

The latest batch arrived at the Accra International Airport in Accra on Monday, July 27, where they were received by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, and other government officials.

Addressing the returnees, Mr Ablakwa assured them of the government’s support and urged them to view their return as a homecoming rather than a displacement.

He said the government remained committed to ensuring the safety and welfare of Ghanaians affected by the attacks.

“You have never been orphaned, you have never been refugees, you have never been destitute. You are not people without a home, people without a country, people without a government. You have never been people who do not have loved ones back in Ghana,” he said.

He added, “We are very honoured and privileged to welcome you, our brothers and sisters, back home. We give glory to the Almighty for bringing all of you back safely.”

The Foreign Affairs Minister said the exercise forms part of the government’s second phase of evacuations for Ghanaians who felt unsafe following the attacks in South Africa.

According to him, the first phase, conducted a few months ago, brought home about 900 Ghanaians from various provinces in South Africa after many were forced to flee their homes and seek refuge.

“This is the second round of evacuations we are conducting. We did the first round a couple of months ago. We brought in about 900 Ghanaians from various provinces in South Africa who felt unsafe. Some of you came under attack, and some of you fled your homes to seek shelter,” he said.

Mr. Ablakwa also commended the Church of Pentecost in Pretoria and Johannesburg for providing temporary shelter to affected Ghanaians during the crisis.

He said the churches suspended their regular services and opened their premises to accommodate Ghanaians awaiting evacuation.

“The Church of Pentecost demonstrated what Christ taught us and what it means to be Christ-like. They suspended church services and offered their premises to fleeing Ghanaians as shelter while awaiting the government’s evacuation,” he said.

The minister expressed gratitude on behalf of President John Dramani Mahama, the government and the people of Ghana for what he described as the church’s remarkable humanitarian gesture.

He noted that the continued safety concerns facing some Ghanaians in South Africa made it necessary for the government to undertake the second round of voluntary repatriation.