The Government of Ghana spent GH¢49.72 million to evacuate 1,964 Ghanaians from South Africa following a resurgence of xenophobic attacks against African nationals.
Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa disclosed the figure on Monday, September 7, 2026, during a media briefing on the conclusion of the evacuation exercise.
The operation, which began on May 27 and ended on September 4, was undertaken using a combination of chartered and commercial flights after the government assessed the deteriorating situation as a threat to the safety of Ghanaian nationals.
According to the Minister, the evacuation was not anticipated and therefore had not been budgeted for, but the government considered the protection of citizens more important than the financial cost.
“The lives protected and the dignity of Ghanaians far outweighs the cost.”
The total expenditure covered chartered flights, tickets, ground transportation, feeding, hotel accommodation, medical care and hospitalisation, as well as reintegration and transportation allowances and the repatriation of two mortal remains.
The breakdown showed GH¢38.84 million spent on flights and related logistics, GH¢10.8 million on reintegration and transportation allowances, and GH¢84,274 on the repatriation of two mortal remains.
The government financed GH¢33.72 million of the total cost, while Engineers and Planners, owned by businessman Ibrahim Mahama, donated GH¢16 million towards the exercise.
Ablakwa said the entire evacuation bill had been settled.
“For the avoidance of doubt the total evacuation cost of GHS 49,721,786.00 has been fully paid for and there are no outstanding liabilities.”
Each evacuee received a GH¢5,000 reintegration grant and a GH¢500 travel and transport allowance. Returnees also received medical screening, health insurance registration, SIM cards loaded with data and money, food packages and psychosocial support.
The evacuation followed a resurgence of anti-foreigner sentiment in parts of South Africa from April 2026, particularly in Durban Central Business District in KwaZulu-Natal.
The government said vigilante groups including “March and March” and “Operation Dudula” had targeted African nationals through intimidation, questioning of immigration status, alleged citizen’s arrests and attacks on businesses.
The situation escalated after anti-immigration groups called for foreign nationals to leave South Africa by June 30, 2026.
Ghana became the first country to evacuate its citizens in response to the situation, with vulnerable groups including children, the sick, the aged and women prioritised during the first flight.
