Ghana’s High Commissioner to South Africa, H.E. Benjamin Quashie, has disclosed that Nigeria is expected to begin evacuating its citizens from South Africa next week amid rising concerns over xenophobic attacks and growing hostility toward foreign nationals.
His remarks come amid criticism from some South African figures, including politician Julius Malema, who has argued that Ghana overstated its decision to evacuate its nationals.
Speaking on Citi Eyewitness News, the High Commissioner said discussions with his counterparts suggest increasing regional backing for Ghana’s decision to evacuate its citizens.
“A lot of them are following what we have done. I am aware that Nigeria will be evacuating its citizens next week,” he said.
His comments follow Ghana’s evacuation of 300 citizens from South Africa on Wednesday, May 28, as part of government efforts to safeguard nationals affected by the unrest.
More than 800 Ghanaians have so far registered for voluntary evacuation following renewed fears over xenophobic attacks and insecurity targeting foreign nationals.
The evacuation exercise, announced earlier this month by Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, forms part of measures to ensure the safety and welfare of Ghanaians abroad.
Government has also indicated that returnees will receive transport support, reintegration assistance, psychosocial counselling, as well as access to employment and start-up support programmes.
The first batch of evacuees arrived at Accra International Airport on Wednesday, where they were received by a government delegation led by Chief of Staff Julius Debrah and Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa.
