The Government of Ghana will resume the next phase of evacuating Ghanaians from South Africa on Sunday, July 26, following ongoing xenophobic attacks targeting migrants in the country.
In a statement issued on Saturday, July 25, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the latest phase of the evacuation is expected to cover about 1,000 Ghanaians and will be carried out in batches.
According to the Ministry, the first evacuation flights are scheduled to arrive in Accra on Sunday, July 26, and Monday, July 27.
The exercise will begin with Ghanaians who have already registered with the Ghana High Commission in Pretoria to voluntarily return home with government assistance.
The Ministry said priority would be given to women, children, the elderly, persons with medical conditions and students.
It urged distressed Ghanaians in South Africa to contact the Ghana High Commission in Pretoria for assistance with travel arrangements.
The government also expressed appreciation to the Ghanaian leadership of the Church of Pentecost in Pretoria and Johannesburg, as well as Global Kingdom Investment Pty. Ltd., for providing shelter free of charge to Ghanaians who fled their homes while awaiting evacuation.
The Ministry said the Ghana High Commission in Pretoria has reactivated its emergency consular response and remains ready to assist Ghanaians wishing to return home safely.
It further advised Ghanaians in South Africa to remain calm, avoid areas of unrest, ignore provocations and cooperate fully with officials to ensure a successful evacuation exercise.
The government assured citizens that it remains committed to ensuring no Ghanaian is left in harm's way.
