Nearly 300 Ghanaians evacuated from South Africa arrive in Accra amid anti-immigration protests

Ghana has begun repatriating citizens from South Africa after escalating anti-immigration protests heightened fears among migrant communities, with hundreds more expected to return in the coming days.

ACCRA, Ghana —
Nearly 300 Ghanaians evacuated from South Africa arrived in Accra on Wednesday after rising anti-immigration protests heightened fears among foreign migrant communities in Africa’s most industrialised economy. The evacuees were transported on a chartered government flight from Johannesburg to Kotoka International Airport as Ghanaian authorities accelerated efforts to repatriate citizens requesting assistance to return home.

Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, joined officials at the airport to receive the arrivals, while authorities said additional evacuation flights were expected in the coming days.

Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa is Ghana's Minister for Foreign Affairs. — Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa is Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs.

According to Ghana’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Benjamin Quashie, about 800 Ghanaians have registered for repatriation support amid growing uncertainty surrounding anti-immigration demonstrations in parts of South Africa.

Ghana’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Benjamin Quashie, said the operation was intended to ensure the safety of Ghanaian nationals who felt threatened by growing anti-migrant tensions. — Ghana’s High Commissioner to South Africa Benjamin Quashie

Concerns grow among migrant communities

The evacuation follows weeks of demonstrations organised by groups calling for stricter action against undocumented migrants in South Africa. Protest organisers say illegal immigration is placing pressure on jobs and public services, while migrant advocacy groups have warned that the rhetoric risks fuelling hostility toward foreign nationals.

Although organisers insist the protests are peaceful, some migrants have expressed fears that tensions could escalate into violence similar to previous outbreaks of xenophobic unrest in South Africa. One Ghanaian evacuee, identified only as Rudolph, said he decided to leave after recent protests spread beyond Durban into other provinces.

“It’s not comfortable for us to stay here anymore, so we have to go. I think we will find peace at home,” he said.

South Africa has experienced periodic anti-foreigner violence over the past two decades, including deadly attacks in 2008 and 2019 that killed dozens of people across several communities.

Ghana announces reintegration support

Ghana’s government said returning citizens would receive financial and psychosocial support to help them reintegrate after arriving home.

Officials said the assistance package includes:

transportation support
reintegration allowances
counselling services
access to employment and business support programmes

The Foreign Affairs Ministry said the measures formed part of broader efforts to protect Ghanaian citizens abroad during periods of crisis.

Regional and political implications

Analysts say the latest tensions underscore wider pressures linked to migration, unemployment and economic inequality in South Africa ahead of local elections later this year.

There are an estimated 25,000 Ghanaians living in South Africa, according to diplomatic figures cited in the evacuation exercise. Recent demonstrations have also intensified diplomatic sensitivities across the region, with several African governments closely monitoring conditions affecting their citizens living in South Africa. Ghanaian authorities said evacuation efforts would continue for citizens who wished to return home.

Reporting by Edem Hodasi. Additional sourcing: BBC News.