The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced a temporary delay in the planned evacuation of Ghanaians residing in South Africa due to a resurgence of xenophobic violence targeting foreign nationals.
In a press release issued on Thursday, officials indicated that the evacuation operation, originally set to begin today, has been postponed for several days to address necessary logistical and legal requirements.
So far, over 800 Ghanaians have registered with the Ghana High Commission in Pretoria, seeking assistance as safety concerns escalate.
The Ministry emphasized that the postponement is essential given the complexity of the operation and the legal stipulations mandated by South African authorities.
This includes compulsory passenger screening, coordination among multiple agencies, and obtaining flight permits.
“Given the scale of this operation and the legal conditions that must be satisfied, including mandatory passenger checks and inter-agency collaboration, we have decided to delay the evacuation by a few days,” the statement read.
Authorities from both Ghana and South Africa have agreed to implement improved pre-evacuation procedures to expedite the process. Senior officials from both nations are actively collaborating to ensure the successful execution of the evacuation.
“The Government of Ghana assures its citizens in South Africa that all possible measures are being taken to facilitate their safe return home,” the Ministry stated.
Officials also expressed gratitude to Ghanaians affected by the situation for their patience and understanding during this challenging period.
The decision to evacuate follows alarming reports of renewed xenophobic violence and intimidation directed at foreign nationals in various regions of South Africa, prompting Ghanaian authorities to take emergency actions to safeguard their citizens abroad.
The government has pledged to provide timely updates as preparations for the evacuation proceed.
By: Magdalene Agyeiwaa Sarpong