Ghana's Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has defended the government's decision to evacuate Ghanaians from South Africa, saying criticism from some returnees will not change its focus on protecting citizens facing threats abroad. The evacuation was undertaken in response to security concerns, including xenophobic attacks. Ablakwa made these comments at a town hall meeting with Ghanaians in New York.
Some returnees have expressed disappointment with the conditions they faced after returning to Ghana, particularly the lack of promised employment opportunities. Kofi Baah, one of the returnees, said he regretted coming back to Ghana because the promised employment opportunities had not materialized. He received a GH¢5,000 government support, but the amount was not sufficient to cater for his family of four children.
Ablakwa maintained that the safety and welfare of Ghanaian nationals had to take precedence. He said the government would continue to prioritize the welfare of Ghanaians, adding that those who were recovered from harm's way could begin to make statements and grant media interviews. The Minister also mentioned that evacuees were enrolled in a database to facilitate access to employment, entrepreneurship, and skills-development opportunities.
The government has previously stated that the 2026 evacuation brought 1,964 Ghanaians home between May 27 and September 4 at a total cost of GH¢49.72 million. Each returnee received a GH¢5,000 reintegration grant and GH¢500 transport allowance. The government also provided support to help returnees settle back into life in Ghana.
Ablakwa responded to comments and media reports of people who regretted being evacuated back home, saying, "If that is the thank you we get, no problem, but we are not deterred." He emphasized that the government would not be swayed by criticism from some returnees. The Minister's comments were made in response to concerns raised by returnees like Kofi Baah.
Baah claimed that follow-ups with the relevant authorities had only yielded assurances that his details had been forwarded to companies, with no employment opportunity secured so far. He said the prospect of securing employment was a major consideration for many of those who agreed to return to Ghana. The government has assured returnees that their details have been forwarded to companies.
The evacuation and reintegration process has been a major effort by the Ghanaian government to protect its citizens abroad. Key points include:
Key points
- The government evacuated 1,964 Ghanaians from South Africa between May 27 and September 4 at a total cost of GH¢49.72 million.
- Each returnee received a GH¢5,000 reintegration grant and GH¢500 transport allowance.
- Evacuees were enrolled in a database to facilitate access to employment, entrepreneurship, and skills-development opportunities.
