The Government of Ghana has announced the resumption of the next phase of voluntary evacuations for Ghanaians in South Africa, with the first flights scheduled to arrive in Accra on Sunday, July 26, and Monday, July 27, 2026.1
In a press release issued on Saturday, July 26, 2026, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the operation is expected to cover about 1,000 Ghanaians affected by ongoing xenophobic attacks against migrants in the country. The evacuations will be conducted in groups, prioritizing vulnerable individuals including women, children, the elderly, persons with medical conditions, and students.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to inform the general public, and Ghanaians resident in South Africa in particular, of the Government of Ghana’s decision to resume the next phase of evacuations of Ghanaians in South Africa following ongoing xenophobic attacks against migrants in that country,” the statement read.
The evacuation exercise will commence with Ghanaians who have already registered with the Ghana High Commission in Pretoria for voluntary return home with government assistance. Distressed Ghanaians in South Africa have been urged to contact the High Commission on telephone number 0723681010 for further inquiries and assistance on travel arrangements.
The Ministry expressed heartfelt appreciation to the Ghanaian leadership of the Church of Pentecost in Pretoria and Johannesburg, as well as Global Kingdom Investment Pty. Ltd., for generously providing their premises as shelters free of charge for many weeks to compatriots awaiting processing.
This latest phase comes after earlier evacuations earlier in 2026, during which the first batch of evacuees was welcomed back in May. The government has been actively responding to a surge in xenophobic violence, with President John Dramani Mahama and officials engaging regional bodies like the African Union (AU) and ECOWAS to address the crisis.
The Ministry urged all Ghanaians in South Africa to “remain calm, avoid areas of unrest, ignore provocations and cooperate fully with officials of the Ghana High Commission to ensure a successful humanitarian evacuation as was experienced during the first phase.”
“Government assures that we shall leave no Ghanaian behind in harm’s way,” the statement added.