The Government of Ghana has approved the immediate evacuation of 300 Ghanaian nationals from South Africa following a renewed wave of xenophobic attacks in parts of the country.
Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, announced that President John Dramani Mahama had granted presidential approval for the evacuation exercise as part of efforts to protect affected Ghanaians.
According to the minister, the individuals earmarked for evacuation had earlier responded to an advisory issued by the Foreign Affairs Ministry and registered with Ghana’s High Commission in Pretoria for assistance and possible evacuation.
“His Excellency John Dramani Mahama has granted presidential approval for the immediate evacuation of 300 Ghanaians in South Africa,” Mr Ablakwa stated in a Facebook post.
“These distressed Ghanaians had earlier complied with the Foreign Ministry’s advisory and registered with our High Commission in Pretoria to be rescued following the latest wave of xenophobic attacks,” he added.
Mr Ablakwa reaffirmed the government’s commitment to protecting the welfare and safety of Ghanaians both within the country and abroad.
“The Government of Ghana shall continue to safeguard the welfare of all Ghanaians, at home and abroad,” he stated.
The evacuation decision comes amid growing concerns over renewed xenophobic violence in South Africa, where foreign nationals and businesses owned by African migrants, including Ghanaians, have periodically been targeted in attacks.
