Some Ghanaians on arrival
The first batch of 300 Ghanaian nationals repatriated from South Africa following violent anti-immigrant protests arrived at Accra International Airport yesterday.
Government officials and relatives received the evacuees, who were safely airlifted on a chartered flight to escape the ongoing unrest. This operation is for the approximately 800 Ghanaian nationals who registered for voluntary evacuation with the Ghana High Commission out of the estimated 25,000 Ghanaians living in South Africa.
The returnees immediately received packaged relief items in “Ghana Must Go” bags upon their arrival, for their upkeep. Some Ghanaian evacuees from South Africa have recounted the hardship and fear they endured amid the recent wave of xenophobic attacks targeting foreign nationals in parts of the country, calling on government to ensure the remaining Ghanaians are evacuated soon.
According to Ghana’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Benjamin Quashie, the recent anti-migrant protests in several South African cities triggered safety fears, prompting the Ghanaian government to intervene and assist citizens to return home.
“The Ghanaian government listened to the plight of its citizens in South Africa, who felt that their lives were in danger, who felt like the economic activity that they were engaging in had come to a standstill, who felt unwelcome in this country.
“It is the responsibility of every government to ensure that its citizens are taken care of both home and abroad,” he said.
Mr. Quashie emphasised that out of the 300 citizens repatriated to Ghana, none of them had any criminal records, saying, “These are proud Ghanaians who hold their heads high because they were here doing legitimate businesses; some documented, others undocumented, and I believe that the discourse is not about them being any problematic residents in the country.
“We have gone through all the processes, none of them, not even a single one of them, has been found to have any criminal record, and for me that makes me proud,” he stressed.
Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, in his address at the Accra International Airport, reassured the 300 evacuees of government’s commitment to ensure that they benefit from the measures laid down to support their safe return and reintegration into society.
He assured that his ministry will ensure returnees receive immediate financial grants, free transportation to their destinations across the country, reintegration allowances, psychosocial counseling, and placement into a specialised employment database which connects them directly to job placements and business startup opportunities to help them rebuild their lives.
“We welcome all of you to the motherland. We thank God for the safe journey and protection of your life and giving us a president who values the life of Ghanaians, which the administration is demonstrating that where ever Ghanaians are, they are protected,” he said.
He also indicated that 26 Ghanaian nationals who were detained by South African authorities over visa violations have returned home.
Ahead of the evacuation, the Minister had made an assurance of government’s commitment to ensuring the safety and protection of Ghanaians living in South Africa following renewed tensions and attacks targeting foreign nationals.
He expressed deep concern over the situation, describing the attacks as both troubling and unacceptable in a modern African context.
He stressed that such actions undermine the ideals of solidarity and cooperation that underpin relations among African nations.
“The transatlantic enslavement of our forebears that in this modern era we will see such hatred, such xenophobia against each other, against Africans. It is totally unacceptable. It is condemnable.
“And we will do everything as a government to protect our nationals and to make sure that we demand from the South African government to protect our citizens and to keep them safe, because they owe them that duty of care.
“Just as we will continue to make sure that all South Africans living in Ghana are safe, are protected, and we will not encourage any reprisal attack,” he added.
BY Prince Fiifi Yorke