The first group of Ghanaians evacuated from South Africa amid rising xenophobic tensions is expected to arrive in Accra on Wednesday, May 27.
The announcement was made by Ghana’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Benjamin Quashie, during an interview with DW Africa on Sunday, May 24.
According to him, Ghanaian authorities, working in collaboration with South African officials, are currently conducting screening and verification exercises to finalise the list of nationals to be included in the first evacuation flight. He explained that the process is being carefully managed to ensure that all eligible individuals who have expressed interest in returning home are properly accounted for.
“We are screening them, and once we are done, we will let them know the number of people who will be going to Ghana,” he said, adding that between 200 and 300 people are expected to be processed for the initial departure.
Quashie noted that officials are working “around the clock” to complete preparations ahead of the scheduled evacuation, with South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs also involved in facilitating the departure process.
He further disclosed that the first aircraft arranged for the evacuation has a capacity of about 300 passengers. Two additional flights are also expected to follow in the days after the first arrival to ensure that all registered Ghanaians who wish to return home are safely transported.
“The first group has an aircraft that will take 300 and after some few days, we will take another 300 and then there will be a third flight with another 300 to ensure that we get everyone home,” he said.
The evacuation exercise was initially scheduled to begin on Thursday, May 21, but was postponed due to a higher-than-expected number of Ghanaians expressing interest in returning home amid growing safety concerns. Authorities say preparations have since been intensified to ensure a smooth and coordinated operation.
