Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has expressed the government’s appreciation to the Church of Pentecost for providing shelter and humanitarian support to hundreds of Ghanaians who fled recent xenophobic attacks in South Africa.
The Minister made the commendation in a message to the Chairman of the Church of Pentecost, Apostle Dr Eric Nyamekye, praising the church for what he described as an outstanding Christ-like demonstration of compassion.
Branches of the Church of Pentecost in Johannesburg, Pretoria West and Kempton Park provided safe accommodation for about 500 Ghanaians who sought refuge following the latest wave of xenophobic attacks in South Africa.
The affected Ghanaians remained in the care of the church for about two months before their evacuation by the Government of Ghana. During their stay, the church provided them with food, clothing and shelter.
Mr Ablakwa said the gesture reflected the church’s longstanding commitment to supporting Ghanaians facing difficult circumstances abroad.
“On behalf of His Excellency John Mahama, and the Foreign Ministry of Ghana, I conveyed our eternal gratitude to The Church of Pentecost,” he said.
The Minister also commended the church for its humanitarian interventions during previous crises, including the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Foreign Affairs Ministry and the Church of Pentecost have agreed to strengthen collaboration in providing consular assistance to Ghanaians living and travelling abroad.
According to Mr Ablakwa, the church’s extensive international presence, with branches in 210 overseas territories, provides an important network that can support Ghana’s diplomatic and consular efforts.
He said closer cooperation between the two institutions would help enhance assistance to Ghanaian nationals who find themselves in distress outside the country.
Meanwhile, the government says it will continue with the ongoing evacuation of Ghanaians from South Africa following the recent attacks.
So far, more than 1,600 Ghanaians have reportedly been evacuated and safely returned to Ghana.
The Minister reiterated the government’s commitment to protecting Ghanaian nationals abroad while expressing gratitude to the Church of Pentecost for its support during the crisis.
