WATCH | Ghana evacuates citizens amid growing anti‑immigrant sentiment

Johannesburg – The first group of 300 Ghanaian nationals who accepted a voluntary repatriation offer left South Africa from OR Tambo International Airport on Wednesday, as fears linked to rising anti-immigration tensions continue to grow ahead of planned nationwide protests on 30 June 2026.

The repatriation process was facilitated by the Ghanaian government and South African authorities after more than 800 Ghanaians registered for evacuation.

According to eNCA, Ghana’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Benjamin Quashie, said many migrants felt unsafe despite not personally experiencing violence, with some allegedly receiving threats ordering them to leave the country by the end of June.

The first group of Ghanaian nationals who’ve accepted their government’s repatriation offer are on their way home. Ghana’s High Commissioner to South Africa Benjamin Quashie confirmed that more than 800 Ghanaians had registered for voluntary evacuation. Tune in to #eNCA, channel… pic.twitter.com/1DqoRY36no

— eNCA (@eNCA) May 27, 2026

“The responsibility of any government is towards its citizens. We have a situation where people are feeling unwelcome,” Quashie said, adding that Ghana still maintains strong relations with South Africa.

Among those repatriated were migrants facing immigration-related charges.

Quashie said 26 detainees from the Lindela Repatriation Centre in Krugersdorp were included in the first group, which consisted of 62 children, 97 women and the remainder men.

Ghanaians who were processed for repatriation have arrived at OR Tambo International Airport. They will leave South Africa this morning. They took a decision to leave South Africa due to the growing anti Immigrant sentiment in the country. Credits: Ditaba Tsotetsi pic.twitter.com/EEfWcgbDiz

— SABC News (@SABCNews) May 27, 2026

“We had about 62 children, 97 women and the rest were men. What we decided to do is take some of the immigration prisoners who were at Lindela. So, we added 26 of them who had immigration offences come with this first batch,” EWN quoted Quashie as saying.

Immigration officials said only 10 of the 300 processed overnight were legally in the country, with many found to be in violation of South African immigration laws and likely to face sanctions.

Quashie noted that more than 16,000 Ghanaians currently live in South Africa, most of them legally and in compliance with local laws. Additional groups of Ghanaian nationals are expected to be repatriated in the coming days.