Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, has announced plans to evacuate the first batch of 300 Ghanaians from South Africa on May 21, 2026.
The Government of Ghana moves to follow Ghanaian citizens in South Africa who have been affected by recent incidents of xenophobia and violence.
Announcing the evacuation effort, Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa, reiterated that the welfare and safety of all Ghanaians is a non-negotiable priority of the current Administration.
He disclosed that the evacuation exercise approved by President John Dramani Mahama will be fully funded by the state as part of efforts to protect affected citizens.
Reports suggest the evacuation will take place through the O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg.
In a post shared on X, Ablakwa wrote, “The first batch of 300 Ghanaians will be evacuated from South Africa on May 21, 2026.
The welfare and safety of all Ghanaians is a non-negotiable priority of the Mahama Administration”.
Earlier, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, announced that President John Dramani Mahama had approved the evacuation of 300 Ghanaians in South Africa.
In a post shared on X, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa revealed, “His Excellency John Mahama has granted presidential approval for the immediate evacuation of 300 Ghanaians in South Africa.
These distressed Ghanaians had earlier complied with the Foreign Ministry’s advisory and registered with our High Commission in Pretoria to be rescued following the latest wave of xenophobic attacks.
The Government of Ghana shall continue to safeguard the welfare of all Ghanaians, at home and abroad”.
In related news, Benjamin Quashie, Ghana’s High Commissioner to South Africa, has revealed that more than 15,000 Ghanaians have so far been registered in South Africa.
Benjamin Quashie detailed that the ongoing registration is to account for citizens amid growing concerns over xenophobic attacks in parts of South Africa.
Speaking on Eyewitness News on Tuesday, May 12, Benjamin Quashie stated, “We’ve registered close to 15,000. When I took over, what my predecessors indicated was that Ghanaians in South Africa were just a little above 5,000”.
“These are places where we have been told there are Ghanaians living in informal settlements, where communication becomes very difficult, and for that, they cannot go on the website or contact us through the WhatsApp numbers provided,” he added.
See the post below:
The first batch of 300 Ghanaians will be evacuated from South Africa on May 21, 2026.
— Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa (@S_OkudzetoAblak) May 18, 2026
The welfare and safety of all Ghanaians is a non-negotiable priority of the Mahama Administration. pic.twitter.com/yC535bwwcT
