Nearly 900 Ghanaians in South Africa have been relocated to safe locations as the government prepares to evacuate citizens ahead of planned anti-immigration protests scheduled for June 30.
The planned evacuation comes as South Africa braces for anti-immigration demonstrations on June 30, prompting Ghanaian authorities to take precautionary steps to protect their citizens.
In an interview, the Ghana’s Ambassador to South Africa, Benjamin Quashie, said the evacuation exercise is being coordinated by the Ghana High Commission in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Office of the President to ensure the safe return of citizens who have voluntarily opted to leave the country.
According to the ambassador, the operation is part of measures to safeguard Ghanaians amid renewed fears of xenophobic attacks.
He disclosed that close to 900 Ghanaians have so far signed up to be repatriated, following an earlier exercise that saw 938 citizens return home.
“We’re looking at very close to 900 people who have written their names and want to return. We’ve already repatriated 938 people, and adding another 900 will bring the exercise to finality for those who have voluntarily requested to return home.”
Mr. Quashie said some of the affected nationals have been accommodated in secure locations, with South African police notified to provide protection until evacuation arrangements are completed.
“We’ve housed some of them and officially informed the police of their whereabouts, requesting protection for those locations despite the heightened tensions in the country.”
