Ghana Ministry Denies South Africa Evacuation Request for Emergency Fu

South Africa Evacuation: Ghana Ministry Denies Request for Emergency Funds

The Ghana Ministry of Foreign Affairs has denied any involvement in a request for emergency funds from South Africa, after the latter country sought reimbursement from Malawi, Nigeria, and Ethiopia for repatriation efforts.

According to a statement by Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Ghana bore all expenses independently for the repatriation of nearly 2,000 returnees, allocating GH₵10.6 million to support the exercise.

No Demand for Reimbursement

Ghana was not included in the list of countries that South Africa's Director-General of Home Affairs, Tommy Makhode, said would be asked to contribute to covering the costs through the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO). Makhode had stated that his department had written to Malawi, Nigeria, and Ethiopia requesting they contribute to covering those costs.

Ghana's Repatriation Efforts

Ghana allocated a significant amount of money to support the return of its citizens, with each returning citizen receiving a GH₵5,000 reintegration grant alongside a GH₵500 travel allowance. More than 1,600 Ghanaian nationals had returned home since May 2026 as part of the effort. The Foreign Ministry emphasized that Ghana bore all expenses independently, contradicting South Africa's claims.

Background on Repatriation Efforts

The repatriation efforts were part of a broader effort to bring back Ghanaian nationals who had been stranded in South Africa. Apostle Eric Nyamekye, Chairman of The Church of Pentecost, had earlier spoken about his own experiences living in South Africa, including two separate armed robbery incidents and a close call with death. His testimony highlighted the difficulties faced by Ghanaian nationals living in South Africa.

Source: Yen Politics