The second batch of 345 Ghanaians evacuated from South Africa following a surge in xenophobic attacks and anti-immigrant sentiment has arrived safely at the Accra International Airport.
The return of the evacuees marks another phase of the government’s emergency response to the deteriorating security situation facing some Ghanaian nationals in South Africa, where renewed incidents of xenophobia have heightened fears among foreign communities.
The latest group arrived in Ghana on Saturday, June 6, joining hundreds of compatriots who had already been repatriated as part of an ongoing evacuation exercise coordinated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ghana’s diplomatic mission in South Africa.
The arrival comes barely two weeks after the first batch of approximately 300 evacuees landed in Ghana on Wednesday, May 27. That operation itself had been delayed after the initial evacuation date of May 21 was postponed due to logistical and administrative arrangements.
The second evacuation exercise was also delayed after the number of registered returnees exceeded expectations.
According to officials, more than 1,500 Ghanaians eventually signed up for repatriation, reflecting the growing anxiety among members of the Ghanaian community in South Africa amid reports of attacks, intimidation and destruction of property.
Many of the returnees are believed to have left behind businesses, jobs and personal belongings in a bid to escape the hostile environment.
Some had lived in South Africa for years and built livelihoods there before the recent wave of xenophobic incidents disrupted their lives.
The evacuation exercise comes against the backdrop of renewed xenophobic tensions in South Africa, where foreign nationals from several African countries have reportedly faced threats, harassment and attacks.
Such incidents have repeatedly drawn condemnation from governments and human rights groups across the continent, who argue that they undermine the spirit of African unity and regional cooperation.
Another flight of over 300 passengers is also expected to arrive on Sunday, June 7.
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