Ghana has deferred a planned evacuation of more than 800 of its citizens from South Africa following a renewed wave of xenophobic violence, citing mandatory passenger screening, flight clearance requirements and strict legal compliance protocols imposed by South African authorities.
Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration said the postponement was procedural rather than political, stressing that large‑scale repatriations must meet host‑country aviation and immigration conditions before departure.
“Considering the numbers involved and the South African legal conditions that have to be met, including mandatory passenger screening, multi‑institutional coordination and flight permits, the planned evacuation has been deferred by a few days to enable our High Commission meet these evacuation conditions,” the ministry said.
It said the delay reflects the complexity of crisis repatriations, which require synchronisation between civil aviation authorities, immigration bureaus and security agencies in both countries.
Ghana’s High Commission in Pretoria is currently processing documentation for more than 800 nationals who have registered for evacuation although officials say the first flight will prioritise an initial group of 300 vulnerable individuals.
The operation was triggered by a fresh surge of xenophobic attacks targeting foreign nationals across several South African communities, prompting Ghana to activate emergency protocols for citizens seeking refuge.
The decision to evacuate follows a long‑standing pattern of xenophobic violence in South Africa where foreign workers and African migrants have periodically been targeted during outbreaks of local unrest.
Ghanaian traders, students and professionals have been among Africa migrants affected in the xenophobic incidents, often linked to tensions over unemployment, crime and economic hardship.
The latest attacks have again raised concerns about the safety of foreign nationals, prompting several African governments to issue advisories or consider evacuation options.
JN/APA