340 Ghanaian Evacuees from South Africa Arrives in Accra
The third batch of 340 Ghanaian nationals evacuated from South Africa due to xenophobic attacks arrived in Ghana on June 7, 2026, where senior government officials received them at Kotoka International Airport.
Deputy Chief of Staff in charge of Administration, Hon. Nana Oye Bampoe Addo, led the delegation alongside Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. James Gyakye Quayson (MP), NADMO Deputy Director-General Albert Akuka Alalzuuga, National Youth Authority CEO Osman Ayariga, GACL Managing Director Mrs Yvonne Nana Afriyie Opare, and other senior officials.
Welcoming the returnees, Hon. Bampoe Addo assured them of the government’s commitment to their successful reintegration.
She said comprehensive assistance packages have been put in place, including enrollment in the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) and assistance to acquire Ghana Cards.
“The National Youth Authority will facilitate the registration of interested evacuees under the National Apprenticeship Programme to provide employment and skills development opportunities,” she stated, urging them to “remain hopeful” as they rebuild their lives in Ghana.
Deputy Foreign Minister James Gyakye Quayson encouraged the evacuees to remain optimistic and focus on healing.
He said forgiveness is important and urged them to apply the same “determination, resilience and entrepreneurial spirit” they demonstrated abroad to jobs in Ghana.
He disclosed that all returnees have been registered in a government database to facilitate access to assistance and opportunities.
Various state institutions and private sector organisations are ready to support their resettlement and economic empowerment.
“The diaspora is the ‘17th Region’ of Ghana, and we acknowledge their significant contribution to national development,” Hon. Quayson said.
He added that he hopes South Africa will strengthen ties with the broader African community.
The evacuees thanked the government for facilitating their return and pledged to contribute their quota to nation building.
The June 7 arrival marks the third evacuation exercise by the Mahama administration following renewed xenophobic violence in parts of South Africa.
The government has previously committed to job placement, psychosocial support, and compensation processes for citizens who lost property and businesses abroad.
Story by Hajara Fuseini
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