Benjamin Quashie, Ghana’s High Commissioner to South Africa, has announced that the first batch of Ghanaians being evacuated amid rising xenophobic tensions is expected to arrive in Accra on Wednesday, May 27.
Speaking in an interview with DW Africa on Sunday, May 24, Mr. Quashie said Ghanaian authorities are currently conducting screening and verification exercises to finalise the list of individuals set to be included in the first evacuation flight.
According to him, officials are working to ensure a smooth evacuation process for affected Ghanaians who have expressed fears over their safety following renewed xenophobic attacks in parts of South Africa.
“We are screening them, and once we are done, we will let them know the number of people who will be going to Ghana,” he said.
Mr. Quashie disclosed that between 200 and 300 individuals are expected to be processed for the initial evacuation exercise, with South African Home Affairs officials assisting with documentation and clearance procedures ahead of departure.
He further revealed that the evacuation process will continue beyond the first flight, with additional arrangements already in place to transport more Ghanaian nationals who wish to return home.
“The first group has an aircraft that will take 300 and after some few days, we will take another 300 and then there will be a third flight with another 300 to ensure that we get everyone home,” he stated.
The evacuation exercise was originally scheduled to begin on Thursday, May 21, but was temporarily postponed after authorities recorded a higher-than-expected number of Ghanaians seeking evacuation.
