The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced a temporary postponement of the planned evacuation of Ghanaian nationals from South Africa.
In a post shared by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa, revealed that more than 800 Ghanaians have registered to be evacuated.
He disclosed that Senior Government Officials on both sides are engaging on South African legal conditions, passenger screening, managing the high numbers and multi-institutional coordination as they work on a new date for the evacuation.
In a May 21 statement, issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated, “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to provide an update on the evacuation of Ghanaians from South Africa, which was scheduled to commence today, 21st May, 2026.
The Government of Ghana notes that more than 800 Ghanaians have registered with our High Commission in Pretoria seeking to be evacuated due to the latest wave of xenophobic attacks”.
“Considering the numbers involved and the South African legal conditions that have to be met, including mandatory passenger screening, multi-institutional coordination, and flight permits, the planned evacuation has been deferred by a few days to enable our High Commission to meet these evacuation conditions.”
Earlier, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa 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”.
Meanwhile, a South African activist identified as Queen Vee and her team have once again fired shots at Ghanaian leaders.
According to the South African activist, Ghana’s leadership has failed, adding that they only helped Emmanuel Asamoah to make themselves look like heroes.
Queen Vee argued that Ghana is now one of the largest gold producers, noting that Ghanaians are not supposed to be suffering, but we have left it in the hands of the wrong leaders, who are making them suffer.
Speaking in a viral video shared on X, Queen Vee was once again captured confronting yet another Ghanaian, saying, “I can promise you, there’s not going to be peace. You will be chased away. Let me be clear. We’re going to ensure that all of us in Africa, we are all in our respective countries and fixing them. Ghana is now one of the largest gold producers. Ghanaians are not supposed to be suffering, but we have left it in the hands of the wrong leaders”.
“Now see what they did, what your leaders did with Emmanuel. They made it seem like they are heroes, but they forgot that the reason why Emmanuel and your kind are here is because they have failed. Now they love Ghanaians; they will love you guys, because if you love your own children, you are not going to let them go look for food next door, you’re going to ensure that you provide for them”.
“Even now, once they hear us complaining again, they will say xenophobia. No, your leaders have failed. Ghana’s leadership has failed,” she said.
See the statement below:
Update on Evacuation from South Africa.
— Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa (@S_OkudzetoAblak) May 21, 2026
More than 800 Ghanaians have registered to be evacuated;
Senior Government Officials on both sides engaging on South African legal conditions, passenger screening, managing the high numbers and multi-institutional coordination as we… pic.twitter.com/iKl02aZaDN
