First Group of Ghanaians Repatriated from South Africa Arrives Home

The first group of almost 300 Ghanaians repatriated from South Africa amid anti-immigrant protests arrived home in Accra on Wednesday, according to multiple reports. The group, which included women and children, was greeted at the airport by Ghana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, as patriotic songs played over the airport speakers.

Authorities described the evacuation as a voluntary repatriation process for Ghanaian citizens who no longer feel safe in South Africa amid rising xenophobia that has left migrants facing harassment, job losses, and violence, as reported by Al Jazeera and Africa News.

Around 800 Ghanaians have registered with the High Commissioner for repatriation flights, saying they no longer feel safe in South Africa, according to reports from both Al Jazeera and Africa News. The repatriations were organized in response to a wave of protests and violence targeting both documented and undocumented foreigners in the country.

Coverage Comparison

Reporting from Africa News and Al Jazeera focused on the first flight, which carried about 300 people, while AllAfrica provided details on the second and third batches, numbering more than 700, that arrived over the weekend. The AllAfrica report emphasized the government’s support for returnees, including promises of compensation and employment opportunities, whereas the earlier coverage highlighted the circumstances of the departures and the legal status of many of those returning.

Key Claims

  • Anticipated scale of repatriation: South Africa worked with Ghanaian authorities on a list of approximately 800 people who indicated they wanted to leave, as reported by both Al Jazeera and Africa News.
  • Legal status of returnees: South African immigration officials said only 10 of the 300 people on the first flight were in the country legally, with most having overstayed their visas by more than 30 days, and some by a year or more, according to multiple reports.
  • Government response: Ghana’s Foreign Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, said the government would provide psychosocial support and financial reintegration packages, as well as pursue compensation for those who lost property, according to Africa News and AllAfrica.
  • Employment and legal action: The government said about 200 employment opportunities have been secured for returnees, and that legal processes are being put in place to seek redress for those who lost businesses, shops, and other properties, as reported by AllAfrica.
  • Harassment and violence: One returnee told Africa News he had built a salon in a container that was broken into and looted during the attacks. Another returnee, Victor Atsu Togbe, thanked the government for taking them “out of the lion's den,” according to the same report.

Perspectives

Ghanaian government perspective: Officials have emphasized their commitment to protecting citizens abroad and providing support upon return, including financial packages, legal assistance, and efforts to secure compensation.

Returnee perspective: Individuals who returned described difficult conditions in South Africa, including harassment and loss of property, and expressed relief at being back in Ghana.

South African authorities' perspective: Immigration officials have highlighted that most returnees were undocumented, framing the repatriation within the context of stricter immigration enforcement amid public concerns about undocumented migrants.

Ghanaian diplomatic perspective: Ghana’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Benjamin Quashie, criticized processing backlogs for those seeking to renew their permits, pointing to systemic issues that may have contributed to the situation, as reported by Africa News.

Regional and international perspective: The episodes reflect broader tensions in South Africa, where unemployment exceeds 30 percent and anti-immigrant protests have repeatedly occurred, with campaigners demanding tighter controls on undocumented migrants and accusing foreigners of contributing to crime and unemployment.