Ghana spent about $4.37 million to evacuate 1,964 of its citizens from South Africa following "xenophobic attacks and intimidation against foreign nationals," the government has said.

Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa told a press conference on Monday the evacuation exercise, which ran from May 27 to September 4, 2026, cost GH¢49.72 million ($4.37 million).

Ghana News Agency reports the operation involved chartered and commercial flights, ground transportation, accommodation, food and medical care for the returnees.

Ablakwa's breakdown revealed that a total expenditure of GH¢38.84 million ($3.41 million) was spent on flights, tickets, ground transportation, food, hotel accommodation in South Africa, medical care and hospitalisation.

A further GH¢10.80 million ($949,677) went towards reintegration and transportation allowances, while GH¢84,274 ($7,409) was spent on the repatriation of two bodies.

Ablakwa said the evacuation had been fully paid for, with no outstanding liabilities.

Each returnee received a GH¢5,000 ($440) reintegration grant and GH¢500 ($44) for travel and transportation expenses.

They were also provided with free medical screening, registration under Ghana's National Health Insurance Scheme, food packages and SIM cards loaded with data and money.

Evacuation after attacks

Ablakwa said the government launched the evacuation after the security situation deteriorated in parts of South Africa, particularly in Durban's central business district in KwaZulu-Natal.

He said anti-foreigner sentiment and intimidation targeting African nationals, including Ghanaians, had increased since April.

The minister linked the unrest to vigilante groups including “March and March” and “Operation Dudula”.

Calls by anti-immigration groups for foreign nationals to leave South Africa by June 30 also resulted in some Ghanaians losing property and businesses, Ablakwa said.

Ghana identified Bashiru Issahaq, Kwadwo Antwi, Amoonu Jailor Nash and Ebenezer Ayi Tawiah as Ghanaians allegedly killed by South African anti-migrant vigilantes.

South Africa, however, has previously rejected Ghana’s account of the deaths of its nationals, saying the incidents were not linked to anti-immigrant protests

Justice for victims

Ablakwa said Ghana was pursuing diplomatic and legal channels to seek justice for the four victims.

Ghana's High Commission in Pretoria has lodged a formal protest with South Africa's Department of International Relations and Cooperation and filed a complaint with the South African Police Service over Issahaq's death.

The government says it is demanding full and transparent investigations, as well as the arrest and prosecution of those responsible.

Ghana also raised the issue with the African Union, formally petitioning the AU Commission on May 6 to treat xenophobic attacks against African nationals in South Africa as an urgent continental concern.

According to Ablakwa, the AU Commission has responded and indicated that the issue will be discussed at the AU Summit expected in January 2027.

The minister said the evacuation had not been anticipated and therefore was not included in the government's budget, but authorities had to act quickly to "protect Ghanaian citizens."