The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has directed Ghanaian nationals evacuated from South Africa following recent xenophobic attacks to submit detailed records of properties, businesses and investments they lost, as the government prepares legal action to seek compensation on their behalf.
Addressing the second batch of evacuees on arrival in Accraon Saturday, Mr. Ablakwa said the government would not limit its response to evacuation efforts but would also pursue justice for affected Ghanaians whose livelihoods were destroyed during the attacks.
“We are not only concerned about evacuating you, but we are concerned about your full integration,the government of Ghana has decided that we are not going to sit back without any effort in attempting to secure compensation for those of you who have lost your properties, lost your assets, lost your businesses and your shops,” he noted.
According to him, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is assembling documentation and evidence to support a compensation case for victims who suffered losses during the violence.
He urged the returnees to cooperate fully by providing information on properties left behind, including ownership documents, addresses and other records that could strengthen Ghana’s case.
“Please make sure that you provide all the information that we require. The forms we are circulating ask for details of what you have left behind, the addresses and the supporting documents,” he said.
Mr. Ablakwa disclosed that President John Dramani Mahama had instructed him to petition the African Union on the matter and raise the issue at the next African Union ministerial meeting.
“President Mahama is going to make a very strong case for you so that you will be compensated and justice will be done in this matter,” he stated.
The Minister acknowledged the heavy losses suffered by many of the evacuees, some of whom had spent decades building businesses and acquiring assets in South Africa.
“Yes, you have lost property, you have lost assets, you have left your businesses behind and you have left your shops behind, but nothing comes anywhere near life,” he told the gathering. “Once you have life, there is hope.”
Mr. Ablakwa said Ghana acted swiftly to evacuate its citizens before the situation deteriorated further, noting that several other African countries had reported fatalities among their nationals during the unrest.
He revealed that Ghana’s evacuation strategy had attracted interest from a number of African governments, with foreign ministers from other countries contacting Ghana to learn how the operation was organised.
Beyond compensation efforts, the Minister announced that nearly 200 employment opportunities had already been secured for returning Ghanaians through a government initiative involving local businesses and entrepreneurs.
He said companies including Engineers and Planners, AirtelTigo and Telecel had responded positively to appeals for support, while additional employers continued to offer vacancies to help affected citizens rebuild their lives.
Mr. Ablakwa assured the evacuees that the government would continue to support their reintegration and urged them to remain optimistic despite the setbacks they had endured.
“We value you because you have always contributed to this economy, pointing to remittances from Ghanaians abroad, which reached a record US$7.8 billion last year according to Bank of Ghana data.
Joyce Adwoa Animia Ocran,ISD
