The government spent GH¢49.72 million to evacuate 1,900 Ghanaians from South Africa following renewed xenophobic attacks that threatened the safety of African migrants, Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has disclosed.
Mr Ablakwa said GH¢38.84 million of the amount was used for chartered flights, air tickets, ground transportation, feeding, accommodation and medical care for Ghanaians evacuated during the exercise.
An additional GH¢10.80 million was spent on reintegration support and transportation allowances, while GH¢84,274 was used to repatriate two mortal remains.
The Minister said the government had successfully concluded the second phase of the evacuation, which brought home about 1,000 Ghanaians who had voluntarily registered to return.
This followed an earlier exercise in May and June, during which 979 Ghanaians were evacuated in three batches, bringing the total number of returnees to 1,900.
In a Facebook post on Friday, September 4, Mr Ablakwa said the government’s response demonstrated its commitment to protecting citizens caught in dangerous situations.
“We achieved this together as Ghanaians. Our message is clear: we value the lives of Ghanaians everywhere in the world, and no Ghanaian will be abandoned in harm’s way,” he said.
The evacuation followed reports of harassment, intimidation, looting, destruction of property and attacks on African migrants, particularly in Durban and other commercial centres.
Mr Ablakwa said the returnees also received reintegration financial support, transportation allowance, medical and psychosocial support, free health insurance registration and ongoing employment assistance.
He expressed condolences to the families of four Ghanaians who died during the unrest.
Source: Myjoyonline.com
