Ghana Prepares for Arrival of Over 400 Returnees from South Africa Amid Xenophobic Attacks

Accra: More than 400 Ghanaians fleeing renewed xenophobic attacks in South Africa are expected to arrive in Ghana from May 31, 2026, to June 2, 2026. Ghana's High Commissioner to South Africa, Benjamin Quashie, disclosed that 410 additional evacuees are set to return home under the government's ongoing evacuation exercise. According to Ghana Web, the latest batch follows the arrival of 300 Ghanaians who landed safely in Accra on Wednesday, May 27, 2026. Quashie stated, "The next batch will be of 410 evacuees who have given us their names and who want to go home voluntarily. It is going to be either Sunday or Tuesday; we have not fixed the exact date yet, but it should be between these three days." Speaking on JoyFM's Super Morning Show on Thursday, May 28, 2026, the High Commissioner revealed that nearly 1,000 Ghanaians living in South Africa have officially registered to return home over fears triggered by the attacks. "As of this morning, I have been briefed that we have almost a thousand who have fully r egistered and have indicated that they want to leave South Africa and go back home," he said. The growing number of returnees highlights rising anxiety among Ghanaians living in South Africa following renewed reports of intimidation, violence, and hostility targeting foreign nationals. Meanwhile, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has assured the evacuees that the government will support their reintegration after returning home. Addressing the first batch of returnees at the Accra International Airport on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, Ablakwa urged them not to lose hope despite their painful experiences abroad. "We don't want any of you to feel brokenhearted, don't be downhearted, don't be depressed. Have confidence that the Almighty has better plans for you," he told the evacuees. The ongoing evacuation exercise is being coordinated by Ghana's diplomatic mission in South Africa in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as concerns continue to grow over the safety of Ghanaians li ving in the country.