Ghana has rejected claims that South Africa is seeking reimbursement from Ghana for the cost of evacuating Ghanaian nationals from the country.
This follows speculation that South Africa could seek a share of the reported $18 million spent on repatriating foreign nationals amid renewed anti-foreigner tensions and xenophobic attacks in parts of the country.
A statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs dated Thursday, August 13, 2026, clarified that Ghana did not receive financial or material assistance from the South African government for the evacuation of its citizens.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to state for the record, in unequivocal terms, that the evacuation of all our compatriots was fully funded by the Government of Ghana and our Ghanaian partners,” the Ministry stated.
The evacuation exercise was launched after renewed xenophobic attacks and anti-foreigner sentiments in parts of South Africa raised concerns over the safety of Ghanaian nationals.
More than 800 Ghanaians initially registered with Ghana’s High Commission in Pretoria for evacuation, while the first batch of 300 returnees arrived in Accra in May.
The incidents included confrontations and intimidation targeting some immigrants, prompting the Ghanaian government to call for stronger protection of African nationals in South Africa.
Against this background, media reports suggested that the South African government was seeking reimbursement of about $18 million from several African countries for costs associated with repatriating their nationals.
Ghana, however, has distanced itself from the reported claims, insisting that it financed its own evacuation exercise.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Ghana did not seek any financial or material support from the South African Government to bring our fellow nationals back home,” the Ministry said.
It added that the latest phase of the evacuation had also been funded entirely by Ghana and its local partners.
“Government further assures that the latest round of evacuations have followed the same principle with the Government of Ghana and our Ghanaian partners bearing the entire cost.”
The Ministry disclosed that more than 1,600 Ghanaians have so far been evacuated from South Africa since May 2026, with the exercise still ongoing.
It said the government has also extended support to the returnees following their arrival in Ghana.
“It is also worth highlighting that upon arrival in Ghana, the evacuees are all provided with reintegration funds, transport fares and other relief items, as part of the Government’s commitment to ensure their smooth reintegration.”
The Ministry therefore sought to assure Ghanaians that the country would not be among those expected to reimburse South Africa for the cost of repatriating foreign nationals.
“Ghanaians can therefore be assured that under no circumstances will Ghana be listed among the countries being requested by the Government of South Africa to reimburse the cost incurred in repatriating foreign nationals.”
The government reaffirmed its commitment to protecting Ghanaian nationals abroad and taking appropriate measures whenever their safety and security are at risk.
The Ministry also expressed appreciation to President John Dramani Mahama and Ghanaian partners for supporting what it described as a fully Ghanaian-funded evacuation exercise.
