Ghana Fully Funded Evacuation of Citizens from South Africa, Foreign Ministry Clarifies
The Government of Ghana has fully funded the evacuation of its nationals from South Africa following recent xenophobic attacks and did not seek any financial or material support from the South African Government, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has stated.
In a press statement issued on Wednesday, 13 August 2026, the Ministry responded to media reports indicating that the Government of South Africa is requesting reimbursement amounting to $18 million from a number of African countries for support and facilitation provided during the evacuation of foreign nationals.
The Ministry said, in unequivocal terms, that the evacuation of all Ghanaian compatriots was fully funded by the Government of Ghana and its Ghanaian partners.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Ghana did not seek any financial or material support from the South African Government to bring our fellow nationals back home,” the statement noted.
It added that the latest round of evacuations has followed the same principle, with the Government of Ghana and its partners bearing the entire cost.
According to the Ministry, more than 1,600 Ghanaians have been evacuated from South Africa since May 2026, and the operations are continuing.
Upon arrival in Ghana, the returnees are provided with reintegration funds, transport fares and other relief items as part of the government’s commitment to ensuring their smooth reintegration.
The Ministry assured Ghanaians that under no circumstances will Ghana be listed among the countries being requested by the South African Government to reimburse costs incurred in repatriating foreign nationals.
It reiterated the government’s commitment to protecting the lives and welfare of Ghanaian citizens wherever they may be, and to taking timely and decisive action whenever their safety and security abroad are at risk, regardless of the cost required.
The Ministry expressed profound gratitude to President John Mahama and all Ghanaian partners for ensuring a fully Ghanaian-funded evacuation of the country’s citizens.
