By Francis Kobena Tandoh
The first batch of Ghanaians being voluntarily evacuated from South Africa is expected to arrive in Ghana on Wednesday, May 27, following renewed anti-immigrant protests and fears of xenophobic attacks in parts of South Africa.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reports that a government-chartered flight is transporting approximately 300 Ghanaians from Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport.
More than 800 Ghanaians have registered with Ghana’s High Commission in Pretoria voluntarily for repatriation assistance.
Foreign Affairs minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa recently visited South Africa on the instructions of President John Dramani Mahama to engage affected Ghanaians and assure them of government support.
Authorities say returnees will receive transportation support, reintegration allowances, psychological assistance, and access to job and start-up opportunity programmes after arrival in Ghana.
Passenger screening, inter-agency coordination, and flight permit requirements imposed under South African regulations initially delayed the evacuation. Enditem
Source: Ghana Eye Report
