Pretoria: Some Ghanaians living in South Africa have made passionate appeals to Ghana's Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, during his visit to South Africa, urging the government to expedite efforts to bring them back home.
According to Ghana Web, a post shared on 3News' X on May 24, 2026, has captured distressing experiences of some Ghanaians living in South Africa who are seeking repatriation amid renewed xenophobic attacks in the country. The report indicated that the evacuation exercise was postponed due to technical challenges involving screening processes and flight permit approvals from South African authorities. However, government officials have stated that arrangements are underway to ensure the repatriation takes place later this week.
Several affected individuals shared emotional accounts of intimidation, fear, and uncertainty they continue to face. One distraught Ghanaian woman expressed her desire to return home, stating, 'I want to go home, I can't stay here any longer.' Another Ghanaian man explained that despite having businesses and properties in South Africa, many of them were prepared to abandon everything and return to Ghana due to the increasing hostility. He remarked, 'Some of us have businesses, properties here but we are ready to leave this country. The intimidation is too much. We are ready to return home. After all, some of us came here with nothing, so we do not mind going back with nothing.'
A teacher also appealed for evacuation, alleging that some Ghanaian residents were deliberately being rendered illegal immigrants through delays and complications in renewing residency and work permits. He lamented, 'There is a deliberate attempt to render us illegal immigrants. Some documents that had already passed renewal processes are suddenly rejected or delayed until they expire. The situation is dire. We want to return to our country.'