Ghana has begun formal arrangements to repatriate hundreds of its nationals from South Africa, following a surge of anti-immigrant protests and sporadic attacks that have heightened fears among foreign communities.
Officials in Accra say approximately 300 Ghanaians have so far registered with the country’s High Commission in Pretoria to be included in the evacuation plan. The operation has been authorised at the highest level of government, with President John Dramani Mahama approving emergency measures to bring home citizens who feel unsafe or have lost livelihoods amid the unrest.
Ghana’s Foreign Ministry has described the move as a humanitarian response aimed at safeguarding the lives and dignity of its people. Consular teams are compiling passenger lists, verifying identities and coordinating with South African authorities on travel documentation and airport clearances. Priority is being given to families with children, students and those who report direct threats or attacks.
The decision comes against the backdrop of mounting tension in several South African cities, where groups of protesters have marched against foreign nationals, accusing them of taking jobs, running informal businesses and straining public services. Human rights organisations and community leaders have reported incidents of intimidation, looting and assaults targeting migrants from other African countries.
Nigeria has also voiced concern, summoning South African diplomats and demanding stronger guarantees for the safety of its citizens. Regional bodies and civil society groups have warned that the unrest risks undermining African solidarity and could trigger retaliatory measures elsewhere on the continent.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has rejected characterisations of his country as xenophobic, insisting that the violence and threats do not reflect the views of the government or the majority of South Africans. In a public message, he condemned the protests and criminal acts directed at foreigners, stressing that no one has the right to take the law into their own hands.
Ramaphosa acknowledged widespread frustration over undocumented migration and pressure on public services, but argued that such challenges must be addressed through lawful and orderly processes. His comments followed a ruling by South Africa’s Constitutional Court that asylum seekers whose applications have been finally rejected cannot remain in the country to file fresh claims, a decision welcomed by the Department of Home Affairs as a step against abuse of the asylum system.
