Ghana: Ghana's High Commissioner to South Africa, Benjamin Quarshie, has revealed that a Ghanaian woman is currently in critical condition in an intensive care unit (ICU) following an alleged assault by South Africans. The incident reportedly occurred after the woman refused to hand over money to individuals who demanded to see her documentation at her shop.
According to Ghana Web, the woman was brutally attacked after complying with the demand to show her documentation but refusing to give money. The assailants questioned her refusal, leading to a violent assault that left her in a severe state.
High Commissioner Quarshie discussed the ongoing evacuation of Ghanaians from South Africa amidst recent xenophobic attacks in an interview on Joy Prime. He emphasized that the Ghanaian government's decision to repatriate affected citizens was made after thorough consideration. The evacuation process, he explained, was in response to incidents like the assault on the woman in ICU, highlighting the urgency and necessity of the government's actions.
Quarshie further detailed the logistics of the evacuation, stating that two flights had been arranged for the repatriation of nearly 700 Ghanaians. The first flight is scheduled for Saturday at 11 am, followed by the second on Sunday at 5 am. Due to the large number of evacuees, the High Commission faced challenges in providing accommodation. However, Ghanaian businesses and churches in South Africa have offered support by accommodating those affected.
The High Commission has been actively providing meals and other essential services to the evacuees while final arrangements for their return are underway. The first phase of the evacuation successfully returned 300 Ghanaians to their families, following a series of xenophobic attacks targeting foreign nationals.
Quarshie assured that the mission remains committed to supporting the evacuees by ensuring their basic needs are met, including providing three meals a day and addressing the needs of children and other vulnerable individuals. The High Commission is preparing for the next phase of the evacuation process to ensure the safe return of all affected Ghanaians.