The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has revealed that the government spent GH¢49.72 million to evacuate about 1,900 Ghanaians from South Africa following renewed xenophobic attacks targeting African migrants.
Addressing the media on Monday, September 7, Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa said GH¢38.84 million was spent on chartered flights, air tickets, ground transportation, feeding, accommodation and medical care for affected Ghanaian citizens.
An additional GH¢10.80 million went into reintegration support and transportation allowances, while GH¢84,274 was used to repatriate the mortal remains of two Ghanaians who died during the unrest.
Ablakwa said the government had successfully completed the second phase of the evacuation, bringing home about 1,000 Ghanaians who had voluntarily registered to return to Ghana.
The latest exercise followed an earlier evacuation conducted in May and June, during which 979 Ghanaians were brought back to the country in three batches.
The two evacuation exercises have therefore resulted in the return of approximately 1,900 Ghanaians from South Africa.
The evacuation followed reports of renewed xenophobic attacks against African migrants in South Africa, with Ghanaian nationals among those affected.
The unrest was characterised by incidents of harassment, intimidation, looting, destruction of property and physical attacks on foreign nationals, particularly in Durban and other commercial centres.
The developments raised concerns over the safety and livelihoods of Ghanaian residents and other African migrants living and working in affected communities.
Beyond bringing affected citizens home, the government also introduced measures to support their return and reintegration.
According to Ablakwa, the returnees received reintegration financial assistance, transportation allowances, medical and psychosocial support, as well as free registration under the National Health Insurance Scheme.
The government has also initiated employment assistance for the returnees to help them rebuild their livelihoods after returning to Ghana.
The Foreign Affairs Minister further expressed condolences to the families of four Ghanaians who lost their lives during the unrest.
The government says the intervention was intended not only to secure the safe return of citizens caught up in the attacks but also to provide the necessary support to help them restart their lives in Ghana.
