Ghana clarifies evacuation was self-funded as South Africa seeks US$18m from African countries

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has said Ghana will not be required to reimburse South Africa for the evacuation of Ghanaian nationals from the country, stating that the exercise was fully funded by the Government of Ghana and its Ghanaian partners.

The Ministry said Ghana did not seek any financial or material support from the South African government to evacuate Ghanaians following recent xenophobic attacks.

The statement follows media reports indicating that the Government of South Africa was seeking about US$18 million in reimbursement from a number of African countries for support provided in evacuating their nationals from South Africa.

In a statement issued on Thursday, August 13, 2026, the Ministry said the Government of Ghana had taken note of the reports and wanted to clarify Ghana’s position.

“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 said.

The Ministry said the latest round of evacuations had followed the same arrangement, with the Government of Ghana and Ghanaian partners bearing the entire cost.

It said more than 1,600 Ghanaians had been evacuated from South Africa since May 2026, with the evacuations still continuing.

According to the Ministry, the evacuees were provided with reintegration funds, transport fares and other relief items upon arrival in Ghana.

It said the support formed part of measures to assist the evacuees with their reintegration after returning home.

The Ministry also sought to put to rest any suggestion that Ghana would be included among countries being asked by South Africa to reimburse evacuation costs.

“Ghanaians can therefore be assured that under no circumstances will Ghana be listed among the countries being requested by the Government of South Africa to reimburse the cost incurred in repatriating foreign nationals,” the statement said.

The Ministry said the Government would continue to take timely action whenever the safety and security of Ghanaians abroad were at risk, regardless of the cost involved.

The statement also acknowledged President John Mahama and Ghanaian partners for supporting the evacuation of the affected nationals.