Ablakwa thanks partners for support in evacuation of Ghanaians from South Africa

Written by; Regina Bless

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has expressed gratitude to individuals, institutions and organisations whose support contributed to the successful evacuation of Ghanaian nationals affected by xenophobic attacks in South Africa.

The Minister made the remarks on Friday, September 4, 2026, when he welcomed the final batch of 41 evacuees at the Accra International Airport, bringing the government-led evacuation exercise to a conclusion.

Ablakwa commended officials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ghana High Commission in Pretoria for their efforts, as well as the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), Ghana Red Cross Society, Ghana Immigration Service, Ghana Health Service, Port Health Authority and the Ghana Armed Forces.

He expressed particular appreciation to the Church of Pentecost in South Africa for providing shelter and other essential assistance to Ghanaians who were awaiting evacuation.

The Minister also thanked AirtelTigo for providing free SIM cards and token call credits to the evacuees, describing the support as an important gesture during a difficult period.

The completion of the exercise saw the safe return of the final 41 Ghanaians, following an evacuation programme that brought nearly 1,900 affected Ghanaian nationals back to the country.

The government says the collaborative efforts of state institutions, private organisations and community groups were instrumental in ensuring the successful evacuation and welfare of the affected nationals.