The government spent GH¢49.72 million to evacuate 1,964 Ghanaians from South Africa following recent xenophobic attacks, Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has disclosed.

Speaking at a press conference on September 7, Mr Ablakwa said the affected Ghanaians were brought home through commercial and chartered flights between May 27 and September 4, 2026. He said the initial evacuation flight prioritised vulnerable people, including children, the sick, the elderly and women, as authorities moved to protect Ghanaian nationals affected by the unrest.

According to the Minister, chartered-flight expenses, including air tickets, ground transportation, feeding, hotel accommodation in South Africa, and medical and hospitalisation needs, amounted to GH¢38.84 million.

A further GH¢10.8 million was spent on reintegration and transportation allowances, while the repatriation of the remains of two Ghanaian nationals who died during the crisis cost approximately GH¢84,274 in handling and related charges.

Mr Ablakwa said the government itself contributed GH¢33.72 million towards the total expenditure, while Ghanaian businessman and philanthropist Ibrahim Mahama, through Engineers and Planners, donated GH¢16 million to support the evacuation effort.

“The government of Ghana would like to take this opportunity to commend Mr Ibrahim Mahama for his extraordinary commitment to the welfare of Ghanaians,” Mr Ablakwa said.

Each evacuee received a GH¢5,000 reintegration grant and GH¢500 travel and transport allowance. The Minister said the support was intended to help returnees resettle and ensure they were received with dignity, compassion and institutional support.

Mr Ablakwa said the evacuation had not been anticipated and therefore was not included in the government’s budget. However, he said authorities were compelled to respond swiftly to protect Ghanaian lives and uphold the dignity of citizens caught up in the attacks.