The first batch of 300 Ghanaians evacuated from South Africa after recent xenophobic attacks arrived at an emotional reception led by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, who assured them that the government would continue to protect citizens abroad.
The minister, speaking on behalf of President John Dramani Mahama, welcomed the evacuees back home and described Ghana as “the motherland” that would always stand by its citizens.
Addressing the returnees, Mr Ablakwa said the Mahama administration acted swiftly because the lives and dignity of Ghanaians could not be taken lightly.
“Today, the Mahama administration is demonstrating that wherever Ghanaians are, we will make sure you are protected, your dignity is respected, and we will go to the ends of this world to bring you back home safely,” he said.
The evacuation followed days of unrest and attacks targeting foreign nationals in parts of South Africa, forcing several African governments to begin emergency evacuations of their citizens.
Mr Ablakwa disclosed that the government had put together a support package for the returnees to help them rebuild their lives after the traumatic experience.
“President Mahama says that all of you should be given two special allowances, one for your transportation and another reintegration allowance, a special package to help you put your lives back on track,” he noted.
Mr Ablakwa told the returnees that the government would also ensure they benefit from social intervention programmes expected to be rolled out by the Mahama administration, including the 24-hour economy initiative and youth support.
He said psychologists, doctors and nurses had been deployed to provide medical care and psychosocial support for the evacuees immediately upon arrival.
The Foreign Affairs Minister also revealed that 26 Ghanaians who had been detained in South African prisons over visa violations were among those brought back home after negotiations with the South African authorities.
“We negotiated with the South African government that since we have evacuated our nationals, we don’t want to leave anybody behind in prison, and the South African government agreed with us,” he said.
Mr Ablakwa appreciated the South African Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola for cooperating with Ghana’s request.
“So now there is no Ghanaian in any South African prison for visa violations. We have brought all of them back home,” he added.
The minister commended the evacuees for their conduct during the evacuation exercise and commended Ethiopian Airlines for supporting the operation.
He also acknowledged the role played by the Chief of Staff, NADMO, the Gender Ministry, the International Organisation for Migration and officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in coordinating the rescue mission.
One of the evacuees, Mr Samuel Danquah, expressed joy at returning to Ghana and described it as a relief to be back home after many years abroad.
Having lived in South Africa for years, he said he now intended to resettle permanently in Ghana with his family following the support and assurances offered by the government.
The evacuees, comprising men, women, and children, were received at Kotoka International Airport on Wednesday by officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the National Disaster Management Organisation, the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection, health personnel, and representatives of the International Organisation for Migration.
Joyce Adwoa Animia Ocran, ISD
