Ghana begins repatriating citizens from South Africa due to anti-immigration tensions

The first group of about 300 Ghanaian nationals left South Africa on Wednesday, May 27, as Ghana began a voluntary evacuation programme amid rising anti-immigration tensions in the country.

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Families gathered at Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport as officials coordinated the departure process. The move follows growing protests in parts of South Africa over illegal immigration, with frustrations linked to unemployment, crime and access to public services.

Ghana’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Benjamin Quashie, said even more people than expected showed up for the evacuation, with additional registrations being processed ahead of another flight scheduled for Sunday.

Ghana had earlier summoned South Africa’s ambassador over reported attacks on Ghanaians before announcing plans to evacuate affected citizens. Migration expert Loren Landau described the evacuation as a symbolic political message from Ghana to South Africa over concerns about the treatment of foreign nationals.

Some of those returning were reportedly held at the Lindela Repatriation Centre over immigration-related issues. More than 800 Ghanaians have registered for evacuation so far, while Nigerian authorities have also condemned the reported treatment of some of their citizens and are considering similar evacuation measures.