Ghana’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Benjamin Quashie, has announced that the final phase of the government’s repatriation exercise for Ghanaians affected by recent xenophobic attacks in South Africa will begin on July 25, 2026.
The exercise will see about 900 Ghanaian nationals who voluntarily opted to return home evacuated from South Africa following concerns over their safety and welfare.
Speaking to members of the Ghanaian community in South Africa on Tuesday, July 14, Mr. Quashie said the latest operation was made possible through support from the Office of the President and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
He explained that the final phase follows earlier repatriation efforts that have already brought hundreds of Ghanaians back to the country.
“We are going to do the final repatriation of close to 900 Ghanaians who have voluntarily given their names here in South Africa that they want to go,” he said.
According to the High Commissioner, nearly 926 Ghanaians have already been repatriated under previous phases of the programme, while the remaining registered individuals will be evacuated during the final exercise.
He said the repatriation will be conducted in phases, with scheduled flights expected to depart daily until all approved beneficiaries have been transported to Ghana.
Mr. Quashie clarified that only Ghanaians who have completed the required registration and screening process will be eligible to participate in the exercise.
He cautioned individuals who have not registered against reporting to the High Commission in anticipation of being included, noting that authorities are working with verified lists agreed upon with South African officials.
The High Commissioner also urged beneficiaries to adhere to the arrangements communicated by the High Commission and avoid travelling from various provinces until they receive official confirmation of their departure dates.
He said the completion of the final evacuation of about 900 people will bring the mass repatriation exercise to an end, after which any future requests for assistance will be handled individually through Ghana’s consular channels.
Mr. Quashie expressed appreciation to President John Dramani Mahama and Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa for supporting the initiative, describing the intervention as a reflection of government’s commitment to protecting the welfare of Ghanaians abroad.
