One of the returnees among the 297 Ghanaians who have opted to voluntarily repatriate from South Africa due to the ongoing xenophobic attacks has disclosed some of the items they receive from the government of Ghana.
The 297 Ghanaians were welcomed by a strong delegation led by the Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa.
According to one of the returnees, the government gave each of the returnees GH¢5000, an undisclosed amount for transport and a Ghanamustgo bag full of items.
Some of the items found in the Ghanamustgo bag include a bag of rice and some clothes.
Speaking in a viral video shared on TikTok, the Ghanaian man stated, “When we came, we were given a package. I am not taking it home; the NDC government has done well. Everything is here. I was given GHS 5000. The 5000 cedis is there if you like, I will show you don’t challenge it, and this is my lorry fare. The 5000 cedis are in my bag”.
He further went on to thank all three arms of government and officials for the roles they played in their evacuation back home safely.
Meanwhile, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, ahead of the arrival, announced benefits that include a Welcome Home Financial Package, Transportation Assistance to various destinations across Ghana, Reintegration Allowance, Free psychological support, and an Entry into a special database for jobs and startup opportunities.
In related news, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, has disclosed that more evacuation flights from South Africa will take place next week.
In a statement on his X page, Ablakwa wrote, “Osagyefo Kwame Nkrumah must be proud of us. More evacuation flights next week. For God and Country.”
His comments follow the 297 Ghanaians who were on board the initial flight and were met on arrival by senior government officials.
Ablakwa disclosed that among the first batch of 297 Ghanaians who arrived at the Kotoka International Airport in Accra on Tuesday, aboard an Ethiopian Airlines flight, 26 of them were detained Ghanaians in South Africa.
Speaking to the evacuees during a reception ceremony at the airport, Mr Ablakwa said,
“We negotiated with the South African government that since we are evacuating our nationals, we don’t want to leave anybody behind in prison,” the Minister stated.
“So now, there is no Ghanaian in any South African prison for visa violations. We have brought all of them back home”.
“Today, the Mahama administration is demonstrating that wherever Ghanaians are, we will make sure you are protected, your dignity is respected, and we will go to the length of this world to bring you back home safely,” he said.
Also, Austin Kwabena Brako-Powers, a Legal expert and policy analyst, has urged the John Mahama-led government to demand compensation from South Africa over xenophobic attacks.
The lawyer argued that the government should formally demand compensation from South Africa for Ghanaian businesses and properties that were destroyed during xenophobic attacks.
He disclosed that several Ghanaian-owned businesses have been looted, burned, vandalised, or abandoned during the violent attacks against foreign nationals.
Austin Kwabena Brako-Powers argued that Ghana must move beyond diplomatic protests and push for compensation for affected Ghanaians.
According to him, demand for compensation is rooted in established principles of international law.
Speaking on TV3’s Big Issues on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, Brako-Powers argued that Ghana must move beyond diplomatic protests and push for a structured compensation process for affected citizens.
Brako-Powers stated, “Ghana should formally demand, as a condition of its bilateral diplomatic engagement with South Africa, a structured process for the assessment and compensation of Ghanaian nationals whose businesses and property were destroyed during these attacks”.
“The Ghanaian government is not being hard and tough enough,” he said.
Watch the video below:
@ghbrain_ UPDATE; The first batch of 300 Ghanaians evacuated from South Africa following rising xenophobic tensions has safely arrived at the Accra International Airport . Authorities say additional evacuees are expected in the coming days as efforts continue to bring stranded citizens back home.
♬ original sound – GHBRAIN
