The government has commended the Church of Pentecost for providing shelter, food and other support to Ghanaians stranded in South Africa during the recent evacuation exercise.
Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, speaking on behalf of President John Dramani Mahama, expressed appreciation to the church for its humanitarian support.
According to the Minister, about 500 Ghanaians were hosted by the Church of Pentecost for two months and two weeks after the situation deteriorated, leaving some nationals stranded.
He said some branches of the church suspended their regular services to accommodate and care for the affected Ghanaians.
“There were those who were hopeful that the situation would improve, and so did not express their desire to be evacuated during the first round of evacuations. But the situation deteriorated, and they became stranded,” he said.
Mr Ablakwa disclosed that a major branch of the Church of Pentecost in Johannesburg was still hosting some Ghanaians who are expected to be evacuated on Sunday.
He said two more rounds of evacuation were scheduled for Thursday and Sunday, after which the affected churches would be able to resume their normal services.
The Minister also recalled the church’s humanitarian support to Ghanaians during the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine conflict, describing its continued assistance as an example of extraordinary goodwill.
Ghana|Atinkaonline.com|Mavis Fantevi