By Lawrence Odoom
The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has revealed that approximately 200 employment opportunities have already been secured for Ghanaians repatriated from South Africa in the wake of recent xenophobic violence.
Addressing the second cohort of 345 returnees on Saturday night, June 6, 2026, at Accra International Airport, Mr. Ablakwa noted that the private sector had responded with alacrity to the government’s appeal for support.
“I’m so impressed that already about 200 jobs have been secured for you. Leading the pack is Mr Ibrahim Mahama of Engineers and Planners; he has offered 100 jobs. AirtelTigo and Telecel, they have also reached out that they have some jobs to offer,” Mr. Ablakwa stated.
He further affirmed that the Association of Ghana Industries and several chief executives had pledged their collaboration to ensure the seamless reintegration of the returnees into Ghana’s economy.
In an earlier briefing, Ablakwa disclosed: “Ibrahim Mahama has just informed us that he has a hundred jobs for some of you, which is a good challenge. We’ll speak to other CEOs to see how they can also help, so that the young ones who are still able to work do not idle at home.”
Mr Ablakwa commended the evacuees for their fortitude and highlighted their economic significance, noting that diaspora remittances reached $7.8 billion last year—second only to gold exports. He also lauded President Mahama, Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, NADMO, the Ghana Health Service, and the International Organisation for Migration for their instrumental roles in the evacuation process.
A third emergency flight carrying over 300 additional passengers was scheduled to arrive on Sunday, June 7, 2026, bringing the total number of repatriated citizens to more than 1,000.