The Government of Ghana has launched the second phase of its evacuation exercise for citizens in South Africa following a severe surge in xenophobic violence, while simultaneously escalating diplomatic pressure at the continental level to address the root causes of the crisis.
Addressing journalists during a press briefing in Accra, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, outlined state interventions aimed at protecting Ghanaian nationals amidst escalating anti-foreigner sentiment driven by groups such as “Operation Dudula” and “March and March.”
The Minister reported that the second phase of the repatriation exercise officially commenced on Sunday, July 26, 2026, and is targeted at bringing home an additional 1,000 Ghanaian nationals.
”So far, 132 nationals have been safely repatriated to Ghana using commercial flights, and 84 more are expected before the close of day tomorrow, Tuesday, July 28, 2026,” the Minister revealed.
This follows the successful completion of phase one, during which 926 Ghanaians were evacuated from Johannesburg aboard chartered flights across three batches on May 27, June 6, and June 7, 2026. The Minister expressed the government’s gratitude to the Ghanaian leadership of the Church of Pentecost in Pretoria and Johannesburg, alongside Global Kingdom Investment Pty. Ltd, for providing shelter to affected citizens awaiting departure.
The Foreign Minister provided grave updates regarding the deaths of Ghanaian citizens targeted or killed during the unrest.
Ablakwa confirmed the brutal murder of 44-year-old Bashiru Issaka, a father of three who was attacked by violent anti-immigrant demonstrators in Khayelitsha, Cape Town, on June 30, 2026. Following initial identification disputes raised by South African authorities, diplomatic intervention by the Ghanaian High Commission in Pretoria confirmed his identity and facilitated the repatriation of his mortal remains to Accra on July 14, 2026.
Due to the absence of an official post-mortem report from South African authorities, Ghana conducted an independent autopsy at the 37 Military Hospital.
”The coroner’s report has been prepared and will be released this week with the autopsy report to enable the Government to consider further processes,” he stated, reiterating that Ghana continues to demand “a full, transparent, and expeditious investigation” leading to the prosecution of those responsible.
Regarding the separate killing of Antwi Kwadwo in Prieska, Northern Cape Province, on July 18, 2026, the Minister noted that investigations are ongoing to establish whether the attack was xenophobically motivated, urging the public to refrain from speculation.
To address the recurring nature of these attacks, the Minister confirmed that Ghana has formally petitioned the Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission to place “Xenophobic Attacks in the Republic of South Africa against African Nationals” on the official AU agenda.
The petition has already received the formal endorsement of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS. Furthermore, His Excellency President John Dramani Mahama personally raised the matter with the Chairperson of the AU Commission, His Excellency Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, during a meeting in Accra on July 22, 2026.
”As emphasized by President Mahama, Ghana’s petition is not intended to single out South Africa, but to encourage a collective continental response to a challenge that undermines the rights, dignity, and security of African citizens and threatens Africa’s integration agenda,” Minister Ablakwa emphasized.
The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to pursuing all diplomatic, legal, and continental avenues to guarantee the safety, dignity, and rights of Ghanaians living abroad.
Eugenia Ewoenam Osei
