The Government of Ghana is evacuating about 1000 Ghanaians from South Africa this week, following ongoing xenophobic attacks in the country, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has said in a statement.
The ministry said the first flights are scheduled to arrive in Accra on Sunday and Monday, July 27. The evacuation will initially cover Ghanaians who have already registered with the Ghana High Commission in Pretoria to voluntarily return home with government assistance.
According to the statement, priority would be given to vulnerable groups, including women, children, the elderly, students and persons with medical conditions.
It urged distressed Ghanaians still in South Africa to contact the Ghana High Commission in Pretoria for assistance and information on travel arrangements.
There are an estimated 25,000 Ghanaians living in South Africa. This week’s evacuation comes after Ghana previously evacuated 300 citizens in May.