Ghana's Foreign Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has responded to criticism from some Ghanaians who were evacuated from South Africa, saying the government will not be deterred by complaints from returnees who had expressed regret over returning home. Speaking at a town hall meeting with the Ghanaian community in New York on Friday, September 25, 2026, Mr Ablakwa emphasized that the government's priority is the safety, welfare, and dignity of its citizens.
The government's decision to evacuate Ghanaians from South Africa was made in response to reports of xenophobic attacks and other safety concerns. Mr Ablakwa stated that the government would continue to prioritize the welfare of Ghanaians, adding that returnees could begin to make statements and grant media interviews once they were back home safely. His comments come after some returnees expressed concerns about their circumstances after returning to Ghana.
One of the returnees, Kofi Baah, had expressed regret over returning to Ghana, citing a lack of employment opportunities. Speaking on Max TV on September 24, Mr Baah said he had received GH¢5,000 in government support, but the amount was not enough to meet the needs of his family of four children. He also claimed that the promise of jobs was a major factor that convinced many returnees to leave South Africa.
According to Mr Baah, four months after returning to Ghana, he was yet to secure a job despite submitting his curriculum vitae as requested. He claimed that whenever he followed up, he was told his details had been forwarded to companies, but no employment opportunity had materialized. The government has faced criticism over its handling of the evacuation and the support provided to returnees.
The evacuation exercise was part of a broader effort by the Ghanaian government to ensure the safety and well-being of its citizens abroad. In a related development, the Foreign Affairs Ministry has requested a special audit of evacuation spending since 2017 to date. This move is aimed at ensuring transparency and accountability in the use of public funds.
The government has also submitted a 200-page report to the Minority on the GH¢49.7m spent on the South Africa evacuation. The report provides a detailed breakdown of the expenditure, including the cost of chartered flights, which totaled GH¢27.18m. The government's efforts to evacuate Ghanaians from South Africa have been widely reported, with at least 11 people killed in a mass shooting at a house party in South Africa.
Despite the challenges faced by returnees, the government remains committed to supporting them. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other stakeholders are working to address the concerns raised by returnees, including the provision of employment opportunities. The government has also directed the release of 50,000 bags of grain to ECOWAS, demonstrating its commitment to regional cooperation and humanitarian assistance.
Key points
- The Ghanaian government will not be deterred by criticism from some returnees who had expressed regret over returning home from South Africa.
- The government has prioritized the safety, welfare, and dignity of its citizens in its evacuation efforts.
- Returnees have raised concerns about the lack of employment opportunities and inadequate support from the government.
