Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has said the first batch of 300 Ghanaians will be evacuated from South Africa on Thursday, May 21, 2026.
The Minister in a Facebook post on Tuesday, May, 19, 2026 assured that the welfare and safety of all Ghanaians is a “non-negotiable priority of the Mahama administration”.
The Ministry announced that the evacuation will be through a special chartered flight scheduled for May 21, 2026.
According to a public notice issued by the Ministry, the evacuation flight will depart South Africa at 5:00 a.m. from the O. R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg.
The Ministry indicated that the evacuation exercise is fully funded by the Government of Ghana and will be provided free of charge to affected Ghanaian nationals.
Officials further advised persons seeking additional information or assistance to contact Ghana’s High Commission in Pretoria, South Africa.
The announcement forms part of government efforts to ensure the safety and welfare of Ghanaian citizens living in South Africa.
President John Dramani Mahama had early on granted approval for the immediate evacuation of 300 Ghanaians living in South Africa following renewed xenophobic attacks in parts of the country.
The announcement was made by Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa in a Facebook post on May 12, who disclosed that the affected Ghanaians had earlier complied with a directive from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs by registering with Ghana’s High Commission in Pretoria for evacuation.
According to Mr. Ablakwa, the evacuation exercise is aimed at rescuing distressed Ghanaian nationals affected by the latest wave of attacks targeting foreign nationals in South Africa.
