Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has expressed gratitude to the Chairman and entire congregation of The Church of Pentecost for providing shelter and support to more than 500 Ghanaians who fled xenophobic attacks in South Africa.
The Minister, speaking on behalf of President John Dramani Mahama and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said the Church’s intervention was significant in protecting the stranded Ghanaians from further harm while they awaited government assistance.
For more than two months, The Church of Pentecost provided the affected Ghanaians with free accommodation, clothing and meals, easing the plight of citizens who had been displaced by the attacks.
The gesture came as the government continued efforts to assist Ghanaians affected by the worsening security situation and responded to repeated appeals from stranded citizens for help to return home.
The government subsequently commenced the second phase of a voluntary repatriation exercise to facilitate the safe return of affected citizens.
According to Mr Ablakwa, more than 600 Ghanaians have so far been evacuated under the second phase through commercial flights, bringing the total number of Ghanaians repatriated since June to more than 1,600.
He said the government would continue the exercise, with more Ghanaians expected to be evacuated in the coming days before the conclusion of the second phase.
The Minister commended The Church of Pentecost for stepping in at a critical moment, describing its support as an important intervention that helped safeguard the lives and wellbeing of the affected citizens.
Meanwhile, Chairman of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Eric Kwabena Nyamekye, called for stronger collaboration between the Church and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to provide timely assistance to Ghanaians who encounter crises while living or travelling abroad.
He proposed that the Church could serve as a first responder in countries where Ghana does not have a diplomatic mission, leveraging its presence and networks to provide immediate assistance until government intervention becomes possible.
Apostle Nyamekye said closer cooperation between the Church and the Ministry could strengthen Ghana’s ability to protect its citizens abroad, particularly in emergency situations where immediate diplomatic assistance may not be available.
The latest development underscores the growing need for stronger institutional partnerships between government and faith-based organisations in responding to emergencies involving Ghanaians outside the country.
