President John Dramani Mahama has approved the immediate evacuation of 300 Ghanaians living in South Africa following a renewed outbreak of xenophobic attacks targeting foreign nationals in parts of the country.
The announcement was made by Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, who disclosed that the evacuation forms part of emergency measures aimed at protecting affected Ghanaians from the growing unrest.
According to Mr. Ablakwa, the evacuees are among Ghanaians who responded to an earlier advisory issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and subsequently registered with Ghana’s High Commission in Pretoria for assistance and possible evacuation.
In a Facebook post, the minister revealed that President Mahama had granted full approval for the rescue operation to begin immediately.
“His Excellency John Dramani Mahama has granted presidential approval for the immediate evacuation of 300 Ghanaians in South Africa,” he stated.
He explained that the affected individuals had complied with government directives by registering with Ghanaian authorities in South Africa after reports of renewed xenophobic violence emerged.
Mr. Ablakwa further assured Ghanaians that the government remains committed to protecting the welfare and safety of its citizens both within the country and abroad.
“The Government of Ghana shall continue to safeguard the welfare of all Ghanaians, at home and abroad,” he added.
The latest development comes amid rising tensions in parts of South Africa, where foreign nationals and businesses owned by African migrants, including Ghanaians, have repeatedly been targeted during periods of xenophobic violence over the years.
