A third batch of 342 Ghanaian nationals evacuated from South Africa following recent xenophobic attacks has arrived safely in Ghana, with government officials assuring them of comprehensive support to aid their reintegration into society.
The evacuees arrived at the airport on Sunday, June 7, 2026, and were received by a delegation led by Deputy Chief of Staff in charge of Administration, Hon. Nana Oye Bampoe Addo, and Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, James Gyakye Quayson, alongside senior officials from various state institutions.
Addressing the returnees, Nana Oye Bampoe Addo reaffirmed the government’s commitment to helping them rebuild their lives in Ghana. She announced a series of social intervention measures aimed at supporting their resettlement, including employment and skills development opportunities through the National Apprenticeship Programme.
According to her, interested evacuees will be registered by the National Youth Authority under the apprenticeship programme to equip them with employable skills and improve their prospects for economic independence.
She further disclosed that the returnees would be enrolled onto the National Health Insurance Scheme and assisted in obtaining Ghana Cards to facilitate their access to essential public services.
“We have put in place comprehensive assistance packages to support your transition and help you rebuild your lives,” she assured the evacuees, urging them to remain hopeful despite the challenges they had endured.
For his part, James Gyakye Quayson encouraged the returnees to stay optimistic and focus on healing as they begin a new chapter in Ghana. He expressed hope that South Africa would continue to strengthen its relations with the broader African community and stressed the importance of forgiveness in overcoming the trauma caused by the attacks.
The Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister urged the evacuees to channel the determination, resilience and entrepreneurial spirit they demonstrated abroad into building successful lives back home. He noted that the returnees had been registered in a database to facilitate access to government assistance programmes and other opportunities.
Quayson added that several state institutions and private sector organisations were prepared to support the evacuees’ resettlement and economic empowerment. He reiterated the government’s commitment to safeguarding the welfare of Ghanaians everywhere, describing the Ghanaian diaspora as the country’s “17th Region” because of its significant contribution to national development.
The evacuees, in turn, expressed gratitude to the government for facilitating their safe return from South Africa. They pledged to contribute positively to Ghana’s development as they begin rebuilding their lives in the country.
The latest arrival brings the number of Ghanaians evacuated from South Africa higher as government efforts continue to assist citizens affected by the wave of xenophobic attacks in the southern African nation.
Source: Mavis Fantevi