Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has disclosed that the state incurred GH¢49.72 million to safely bring back 1,900 national residents trapped in South Africa.
The official rescue operations were triggered by a surge in fresh xenophobic violence that jeopardised the physical well-being of African migrants residing across the host country.
Breakdowns provided by the Minister indicate that GH¢38.84 million of the total outlay was directed towards chartered flights, plane ticketing, land transport, emergency feeding, temporary lodging, and medical assistance for the affected nationals during the emergency airlift.
A further sum of GH¢10.80 million went into financial allowances and structured reintegration packages to assist the returnees upon arrival, whilst GH¢84,274 was used to repatriate two mortal remains.
Speaking at a media briefing on Monday, September 7, 2026, he stated that the government had successfully concluded the second phase of the evacuation, which brought home about 1,000 Ghanaians who had voluntarily registered to return.
The latest operation builds upon the initial phase conducted between May and June, which saw 979 citizens airlifted back home in three distinct contingents, bringing the aggregate count of repatriated persons to 1,900.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
