President John Mahama has approved the immediate evacuation of 300 Ghanaians following renewed xenophobic attacks in South Africa….reports Africa Daily Newsdesk
The Government of Ghana has approved the immediate evacuation of 300 Ghanaian nationals from South Africafollowing a fresh wave of xenophobic attacks targeting foreign nationals.
The evacuation was authorised by Ghanaian President John Mahama after affected citizens registered with Ghana’s High Commission in Pretoria in response to an advisory issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In a statement, the government said the evacuation forms part of efforts to safeguard the welfare and security of Ghanaians living abroad amid rising tensions in parts of South Africa.
The development comes as Ghanaian national Emmanuel Akowuah Asamoah was safely returned to Ghana after appearing in a widely circulated video linked to the recent xenophobic unrest.
Mr Asamoah arrived in Accra on Tuesday, May 5, accompanied by Ghana’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Benjamin Anani Quashie. He was received by Ambassador Harold Agyeman, Coordinating Director for Political and Economic Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, along with other ministry officials.
Speaking to reporters, Ambassador Agyeman said the government acted swiftly on the instructions of Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa to relocate Mr Asamoah to safety and reunite him with his family.
He also condemned the xenophobic violence, stressing that Africa should remain “a space of unity and mutual respect”. Ambassador Agyeman said the treatment of African nationals in such incidents must be strongly condemned.
He added that the Ghanaian government had earlier summoned South Africa’s Acting High Commissioner to formally express its concerns over the attacks and said authorities would continue to monitor developments closely while engaging with South African officials.
High Commissioner Quashie said Ghana’s mission in Pretoria has maintained active engagement with South African authorities over the safety of Ghanaian nationals.
While acknowledging that conditions had not fully stabilised, he said South African authorities had taken note of Ghana’s concerns and were working to prevent further incidents.
He also praised the Ghanaian government for what he described as a swift intervention to protect citizens abroad and said the High Commission continues to issue regular safety advisories to Ghanaians in South Africa, including warnings about areas considered unsafe.
Mr Asamoah thanked the Ghanaian government for ensuring his safe return and for the support provided during the crisis.
The latest developments come amid renewed concerns over xenophobic violence in South Africa, where foreign nationals have periodically faced attacks linked to tensions over jobs, crime and immigration.
