Ibrahim Mahama and Ministry of Foreign Affairs Coordinate Second Phase of Evacuation for Ghanaians in South Africa

A total of 32 Ghanaian nationals, including several children, arrived at the Kotoka International Airport this July, marking the start of the government's second phase of voluntary evacuations from South Africa. This initiative, launched by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, follows a resurgence of xenophobic sentiment and violent attacks against foreign nationals across various South African provinces. Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, announced that this current phase aims to evacuate approximately 1,000 citizens who have expressed a desire to return home, following the successful repatriation of 926 individuals during the first phase of the exercise. Central to this humanitarian effort is the support of Ibrahim Mahama, the CEO of Engineers & Planners, who has committed significant financial resources to facilitate the process. Mahama is financing the air tickets for the returnees, a contribution aimed at alleviating the budgetary pressure on the government as it manages the logistics of the mass evacuation. Minister Ablakwa praised Mahama's intervention as a vital act of corporate social responsibility, noting that such partnerships are essential in responding to international crises. Other stakeholders, including AirtelTigo and the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), have also provided logistical and material support to ensure the returnees are received with care. To assist with their transition back into Ghanaian society, the government is providing each evacuee with a reintegration package totaling GH"5,500, which includes a GH"5,000 grant and a GH"500 travel allowance. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is also working toward the establishment of a consular fund and has called upon private sector companies to prioritize the returnees for job openings to ensure their long-term economic stability. The urgency of these measures is highlighted by the deteriorating security situation in South Africa’s Western Cape, where at least 11 people were recently killed in multiple shooting incidents across Gugulethu, Stellenbosch, and Manenberg. While South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed regret over the violence and called for African nations to collaborate on migration and regional stability, the Ghanaian government has officially raised the matter with the African Union to ensure the safety of its citizens across the continent.