Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has declared that Ghana values the lives of its citizens abroad as the government concludes its evacuation exercise in South Africa.

Mr Ablakwa said about 1,900 Ghanaians have now been evacuated from South Africa following a recent wave of xenophobic attacks, with the second phase alone bringing home 1,000 citizens.

He announced in a Facebook post after welcoming the final group of evacuees, saying the government had also provided returning citizens with financial assistance, transportation allowances, medical care, psychosocial support, free health insurance registration and ongoing employment assistance.

“Our message is clear: we value the lives of Ghanaians everywhere in the world, and no Ghanaian will be abandoned in harm’s way,” Mr Ablakwa said.

The Minister described the operation as a collective national effort and thanked President John Dramani Mahama for what he called his “inspirational leadership”, as well as local partners who supported the humanitarian mission.

He also expressed condolences to the families of the four Ghanaians who died during the period, saying the government continued to pray for them.

Mr Ablakwa said the Foreign Ministry will next week present a comprehensive report to the Ghanaian public and provide a full and transparent account of the evacuation exercise.

The evacuation followed recent xenophobic attacks in South Africa that raised concerns about the safety of Ghanaian nationals and prompted the government to facilitate their return.

With the operation now concluded, the government says the focus will include supporting the evacuees’ reintegration through financial, healthcare and employment assistance.