Ghana’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Benjamin Quashie, has announced that the first group of Ghanaians being evacuated from South Africa is expected to arrive in Accra on Wednesday, May 27.
The evacuation follows growing concerns over the safety of foreign nationals after renewed xenophobic attacks in some parts of South Africa.
Speaking in an interview with DW Africa on Sunday, May 24, 2026, Mr Quashie said Ghanaian authorities are currently working with South African officials to complete screening and verification processes for people who will be part of the first evacuation flight.
According to him, officials are working hard to ensure everything is properly organised before the evacuees leave to Ghana.
“We are screening them, and once we are done, we will let them know the number of people who will be going to Ghana, and we are expecting to have between 200 and 300 people here today, and Home Affairs will set up at 10 am today for them to be able to leave on Wednesday at 6am to Ghana.”
Mr Quashie also revealed that the evacuation exercise will continue after the first flight because many more Ghanaians have requested to return home due to safety fears.
He explained that the first aircraft can carry about 300 passengers, and two additional flights are expected to follow to transport more Ghanaians back home safely.
“The first group has an aircraft that will take 300 and after some few days, we will take another 300 and then there will be a third flight with another 300 to ensure that we get everyone home.”
The evacuation exercise was originally expected to begin on Thursday, May 21, but authorities postponed it after discovering that the number of Ghanaians interested in returning home was much higher than expected.
