The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has clarified that Ghana fully funded the evacuation of its nationals from South Africa following recent xenophobic attacks, stressing that the country did not seek financial or material support from the South African Government.
The Ministry made the clarification in response to media reports suggesting that the South African Government is seeking about $18 million in reimbursement from several African countries for support provided during the evacuation of foreign nationals.
“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 Ministry stated.
It added that the latest evacuations have also been fully financed by the Government of Ghana and Ghanaian partners.
According to the Ministry, more than 1,600 Ghanaians have been evacuated from South Africa since May 2026, with the exercise still ongoing.
The government further indicated that upon arrival in Ghana, evacuees are provided with reintegration funds, transport fares and other relief items to support their return and reintegration.
The Ministry assured Ghanaians that the country will not be among those being asked by South Africa to reimburse the cost of repatriating foreign nationals.
It reiterated the government’s commitment to protecting the lives and welfare of Ghanaians abroad, regardless of the cost involved.
The Ministry also expressed gratitude to President John Mahama and Ghanaian partners for supporting the fully Ghanaian-funded evacuation exercise.
