JOHANNESBURG (AP) — Approximately 300 Ghanaian citizens departed for their homeland Wednesday as Ghana launched a voluntary evacuation initiative responding to growing anti-immigration hostilities in South Africa.
At Johannesburg’s Tambo International Airport, families and passengers assembled with their belongings while authorities and law enforcement managed the evacuation procedures.
The evacuation comes after fresh protests against undocumented immigration erupted across various South African regions, where joblessness, criminal activity, and limited public services have intensified social friction.
Benjamin Quashie, Ghana’s High Commissioner to South Africa, informed media at the airport that additional individuals beyond those initially registered arrived seeking departure.
He indicated their paperwork would be handled before the subsequent Ghana-bound flight, scheduled for Sunday departure.
Ghana previously called in South Africa’s ambassador regarding alleged assaults on Ghanaian residents before declaring plans to remove affected nationals.
Loren Landau, a migration expert and political analyst at the University of the Witwatersrand, described Ghana’s action as diplomatic messaging expressing displeasure with recent developments.
“I think in this case, it’s less about Ghana trying to protect its citizens per se, or these 300. This is a symbolic move to try to send a message to their sort of bigger counterpart, South Africa, that this is politically unacceptable,” said Landau.
Several evacuees had been detained at the Lindela Repatriation Centre on immigration violations.
Over 800 Ghanaians enrolled with the Ghana High Commission in Pretoria seeking evacuation after weeks of demonstrations and growing anxiety among foreign residents.
Ghanaian officials stated the evacuation operation proceeded with South African coordination following worries about migrant safety and welfare.
South African leaders have denounced attacks on foreign residents while recognizing illegal immigration concerns.
Nigeria has also criticized the treatment of its nationals and indicated it may evacuate some citizens as well.
