Ghanaians evacuated from South Africa have appealed to the government to extend its repatriation efforts to citizens stranded in other countries who cannot afford the cost of returning home.
The returnees say many Ghanaians abroad are willing to come home but lack the financial resources to pay for their flights, urging the media to draw attention to their plight and encourage government support.
Speaking at a press conference on Monday, October 26, 2026, one of the evacuees, Michael Addo, said the need for repatriation assistance went beyond Ghanaians who returned from South Africa following xenophobic attacks.
“I would like to use this medium to appeal to the media that we should rather encourage the government to continue with the repatriation because we still have individuals who are still stranded, not only in South Africa, but other foreign countries who are willing to come home,” he said.
Mr Addo explained that some of those seeking assistance were facing difficult circumstances abroad and were unable to raise money for their return journeys.
“Some do not even have the funds to even come home,” he added.
The appeal comes after the government spent GH¢49,721,786 to evacuate 1,964 Ghanaians from South Africa following xenophobic attacks. The expenditure has sparked public debate, with the Minority raising concerns about the cost of the exercise and alleged loopholes in the process.
However, the returnees have defended the government’s intervention, pointing to the assistance provided for flights, accommodation, feeding, transportation and medical care during the evacuation.
They are now calling for similar consideration for other Ghanaians abroad who may be unable to return home without financial assistance, arguing that the support should extend to those in need beyond South Africa.
