Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Foreign Affairs Minister, has broken his silence concerning reports that some Ghanaians who were repatriated from South Africa following the xenophobic attacks regret coming back to Ghana after months without the jobs they were promised.
According to Ablakwa, he has seen media reports and comments from some of the returnees, adding that the Mahama-led government would not look on unconcerned when the welfare and dignity of Ghanaians are at stake.
The Foreign Affairs Minister stressed that although such comments may not be the appreciation the government expected after evacuating the returnees from danger, they would not deter the government from prioritising the welfare of Ghanaians.
Ablakwa argued that once people are rescued from dangerous situations and safely returned home, they are free to express their views even if their comments are critical of the government’s efforts.
He highlighted that the Mahama government is unperturbed by such comments.
Speaking to the Ghanaian community in the Tri-State Area during a town hall meeting on September 25, 2026, Ablakwa stated, “I’ve heard comments and seen some media reports of one or two people who have said that they have been evacuated back home and they are beginning to regret it”.
“If that is the thank you we get, no problem, but we are not perturbed. We are going to continue to prioritise the welfare of Ghanaians,” he said.
“So, we shall forgive them, and I know President Mahama remains unperturbed. He is going to continue to prioritise the welfare of Ghanaians everywhere in the world,” he said.
“President Mahama’s administration will not look the other way, will not be unconcerned, will not be derelict when the welfare and the dignity of Ghanaians are at stake. His government will respond promptly and will ensure that you are taken out of harm’s way.
“And we are so proud that we have always, in crisis situations under President Mahama’s administration, been the pacesetters. You check everywhere there’s a crisis situation anywhere in the world, the government of Ghana is the first to evacuate its citizens,” he said.
His comment comes on the heels of a Ghanaian man who was repatriated from South Africa, identified as Kofi Baah, who has said that he regrets returning to Ghana.
According to Kofi Baah, if he had known the government would only provide him with GH₵5,000 in support, he would not have returned to Ghana.
He disclosed that he has been living with his four children and that the amount given to him has not been enough to meet the needs of his family.
Kofi Baah revealed that part of the money was used to rent a place to stay after the returnees arrived in the country.
According to Kofi Baah, before they returned to Ghana, the Foreign Affairs Minister had promised to help them secure jobs.
He disclosed that commitment convinced many of the returnees to leave South Africa; however, after four months of their return, the jobs promised to them, among other things, had not materialised despite submitting their CVs.
Speaking in an interview on Max TV, Kofi Baah stated, “Since I returned, I have been living with my four kids, with my firstborn completing SHS this year. The second child is also in basic school. If I had known they [govt] were only going to give us 5,000 cedis, I wouldn’t have returned to Ghana”.
“Initially, when we returned to Ghana, the government made arrangements for us, including the money I received. Out of that amount, I rented an apartment. The minister had promised to give us jobs, and that was the main reason why most of us left South Africa,” he disclosed.
“It has been four months since our arrival, and we haven’t heard from the government. They have asked us to send our CV, but there has been no response. Anytime I call to ask about the jobs, the response I get is that they have given our details to companies, but nothing. Even the Ghana Card they promised to make for us hasn’t been done,” he added.
“At least in South Africa, I would have avoided all the attacks and carefully protected myself because most of us were in groups. What we did was that while some of us were indoors, others were stationed outside to monitor the anti-immigrant protest groups, so when they heard of anything or saw them coming, they alerted us to find safety,” he concluded.
Watch the video below:
@the1957news LIVE | I have seen and heard some media reports about people saying that they've been evacuated back home and they're beginning to regret it. If that is the 'thank you' we get, no problem, but we're not perturbed. We will continue to prioritize the welfare of Ghanaians — Foreign Minister Ablakwa, as he addresses the Ghanaian community in the Tri-State Area during the town hall meeting.
♬ original sound – The1957News
@ghnow_ Be very careful on the internet – Sister of Nana Yaw issues a strong warning #GHNow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow
