The Ghanaian government expended GH¢49.72 million to evacuate approximately 1,900 citizens from South Africa after a fresh wave of xenophobic violence forced hundreds to flee for their lives, according to figures released by Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa.
The disclosure provides the first detailed breakdown of the financial cost of one of Ghana’s largest emergency overseas evacuation operations in recent years, highlighting the significant resources deployed to protect citizens caught in violent anti-immigrant attacks.
According to the Minister, GH¢38.84 million was spent on the immediate evacuation operation, covering chartered aircraft, commercial air tickets, ground transportation, accommodation, feeding, and medical care for stranded Ghanaians.
Government records released by the Foreign Affairs Ministry further show that an additional GH¢10.80 million was allocated to reintegrate returnees after their arrival in Ghana. The package included transportation allowances, financial assistance, medical care, psychosocial support, National Health Insurance registration and employment support aimed at helping evacuees rebuild their lives.
The figures also reveal that GH¢84,274 was spent repatriating the bodies of two deceased Ghanaians, underscoring the deadly consequences of the unrest.
The latest evacuation exercise marked the conclusion of the government’s second phase of the rescue mission, during which nearly 1,000 Ghanaians who voluntarily registered for evacuation were flown back home.
That operation followed an earlier intervention conducted between May and June, when 979 Ghanaians were evacuated in three separate batches. Combined, the two operations brought the total number of Ghanaians rescued from South Africa to approximately 1,900.
The emergency intervention was triggered by renewed xenophobic attacks targeting African migrants in parts of South Africa, particularly in Durban and other commercial centres, where reports indicated widespread harassment, intimidation, looting, destruction of businesses and physical assaults.
The violence once again exposed the vulnerability of foreign African nationals living and working in South Africa, forcing many to abandon their homes and livelihoods in search of safety.
Announcing the completion of the evacuation in a Facebook post on Friday, September 4, Mr Ablakwa described the operation as a demonstration of Ghana’s commitment to protecting its citizens abroad.
“We achieved this together as Ghanaians. Our message is clear: we value the lives of Ghanaians everywhere in the world, and no Ghanaian will be abandoned in harm’s way,” the Minister stated.
He also extended condolences to the families of four Ghanaians who lost their lives during the violence.
The nearly GH¢50 million operation illustrates both the humanitarian and financial burden that xenophobic violence abroad can impose on the Ghanaian state, with taxpayers ultimately footing the bill for emergency evacuations, reintegration programmes and the repatriation of victims.
The disclosure comes as concerns continue to grow over recurring outbreaks of anti-foreigner violence in South Africa, where previous waves of attacks have repeatedly forced African governments to mount costly rescue operations for their nationals.