…after anti-foreigner protests
Ghana has repatriated its first batch of citizens from South Africa weeks after anti-foreigner protests left some Ghanaians assaulted.
A flight carrying almost 300 Ghanaians left South Africa early Wednesday and are expected to arrive Ghana today. Around 800 people registered for repatriation.
Stephen van Neel, South Africa’s Home Affairs Immigration and Law Enforcement head, said only 10 of the nearly 300 Ghanaian nationals who left were legally residing in the country.
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He said authorities found widespread immigration violations among the group, adding that the remainder were either undocumented, non-compliant, or had overstayed their permits, and that the Department of Home Affairs would implement the necessary sanctions.
Men, women, and children of all ages were among those who arrived by bus early in the morning at Johannesburg’s OR Tambo airport.
Some were, however, reportedly turned away because of documentation issues. Those affected are expected to be considered for a second repatriation flight later this week.
The anti-foreigner protests began last month after viral videos on social media depicted South Africans showing hostility to African immigrants, triggering fresh concerns of xenophobia.
In one such video, a group of South Africans confronted a Ghanaian, questioning the migrant’s decision to move to South Africa.
In another video, some South Africans were seen assaulting a man who was reportedly Ghanian.
Samuel Ablakwa, Ghana’s foreign affairs minister, summoned Thando Dalamba, South African acting high commissioner in the country, to express Ghana’s “strong concern” over the reported intimidation and harassment of foreign nationals.
Addressing the repatriated Ghanaians before their Wednesday flight, Ablakwa said preparations had been completed for their reception in Ghana, including what he described as a five-point government support package.
“You are not refugees; you are not some destitute. Ghana is not some war zone where we cannot take care of our own,” he said.
The foreign minister said the evacuation exercise reflects Ghana’s commitment to protecting its citizens abroad and responding swiftly in moments of need.
Nigerians in limbo
Nigerians were also among Africans targeted in the South African xenophobic tensions.
The attacks left at least two Nigerians dead, according to the Nigerian consulate in Johannesburg.
On May 3, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, minister of foreign affairs, said President Bola Tinubu had directed that evacuation flights be provided for those willing to return home.
Frank Onyekwelu, president of the Nigerian community in South Africa, said over 130 of them have voluntarily registered for repatriation.
But so far, details have yet to be publicised about the repatriation flights.
The ministry of foreign affairs said in a statement on Wednesday that an update on the matter would be shared next week.
