The Government of Ghana has officially concluded its evacuation exercise for citizens caught in the recent wave of xenophobic violence in South Africa.
Authorities have successfully brought home a total of 1,900 Ghanaians.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, announced this after personally welcoming the final batch of returnees at the airport.
This second and final phase of the operation brought home 1,000 citizens, wrapping up the multi-agency emergency response.
In a post he shared on Facebook1q7, Hon. Ablakwa highlighted the government’s comprehensive support package put in place to help the evacuees resettle smoothly.
According to him, the state provided financial aid, medical attention, transport support, and direct assistance for job placement to ease their transition back into Ghanaian society.
“Today I warmly welcomed the final group of Ghanaians successfully evacuated from South Africa following the recent wave of xenophobic attacks,” the Foreign Minister said. “This second phase of evacuations covered 1,000 Ghanaians. The Government of Ghana has therefore in total evacuated about 1,900 Ghanaians and provided them with reintegration financial support, transportation allowance, medical care, psychosocial support, free health insurance registration and ongoing employment assistance.”
Reaffirming the state’s devotion to safeguarding its populace regardless of geographical boundaries, Hon. Ablakwa stressed that the exercise serves as a testament to the nation’s unified resolve.
“We achieved this together as Ghanaians,” he remarked. “Our message is clear: we value the lives of Ghanaians everywhere in the world, and no Ghanaian will be abandoned in harm’s way.”
The Minister acknowledged the key leadership and institutional support that powered the repatriation initiative, commending the Head of State and collaborating agencies.
“I thank President Mahama for his inspirational leadership and all our local partners for their commitment to this worthy humanitarian mission,” he said.
Amid the relief of bringing hundreds safely back, the Foreign Minister extended condolences to the families who lost loved ones during the height of the attacks.
“We continue to pray with the families of the four Ghanaians who died during this period. May God grant them divine succour,” he offered.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is slated to present a detailed account on the entire operation next week.
“Next week the Foreign Ministry shall present a comprehensive report and account fully and transparently to the great people of Ghana,” Hon. Ablakwa concluded.
