ACCRA, GHANA — Ghana’s Foreign Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has raised serious concerns following the arrival of the first batch of evacuees fleeing xenophobic unrest in South Africa, confirming that 26 Ghanaian nationals were held in detention centers prior to their repatriation.
The group arrived safely at the Kotoka International Airport aboard a government-funded charter flight, bringing home 300 citizens who had registered for urgent evacuation. However, what was expected to be a standard humanitarian evacuation has quickly sparked a diplomatic conversation regarding the treatment of Ghanaian nationals abroad.
The Arrival and the Discovery
Minister Ablakwa, alongside a high-powered government delegation, personally welcomed the returnees at the airport. While addressing the press and eager families gathered at the terminal, Ablakwa revealed that the evacuation team had to negotiate the release of 26 Ghanaians from South African detention facilities so they could join the charter flight.
According to the Foreign Minister, these individuals had been detained by South African immigration authorities primarily over visa-related infractions and document irregularities.
“While we celebrate the safe return of 300 of our brothers and sisters, we must also shine a light on the fact that 26 of them had to be processed out of South African holding facilities just to board this flight,” Ablakwa stated. “We are working tirelessly to review their status, ensure they are fully reintegrated, and guarantee that the rights of our citizens are respected everywhere.”
Escallating Tensions and Xenophobia Fears
The evacuation was triggered by a severe wave of anti-immigration protests and localized violence in South Africa targeting migrants from sub-Saharan African countries. With over 800 Ghanaians currently registered with the Ghana High Commission in Pretoria seeking emergency relocation assistance, more flights are expected to follow in the coming weeks.
| Evacuation Data Point | Metrics & Figures | Status |
| Total Registered for Evacuation | Over 800 Citizens | Ongoing registration open |
| First Batch Safely Repatriated | 300 Ghanaians | Successfully landed in Accra |
| Detained Returnees Processed | 26 Individuals | Visa/documentation infractions |
Diplomatic Pressure Mounts
The revelation about the detained evacuees has added a sharp edge to Ghana’s ongoing diplomatic engagements with South Africa. Minister Ablakwa previously summoned the South African High Commissioner to Ghana to register the state’s formal protest over the harassment of law-abiding Ghanaians.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated that while it respects the sovereign immigration laws of South Africa, the arbitrary detention or mistreatment of continental brothers during a time of heightened xenophobic panic contradicts the foundational principles of Pan-African solidarity.
Government welfare agencies have already established a temporary desk at the airport to provide medical screening, psychological support, and immediate stipend assistance to all 300 returnees as they transition back into their home communities.
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