Ghana has begun the voluntary repatriation of its citizens from South Africa following a wave of anti-immigrant protests that have heightened safety concerns. On Wednesday, 300 Ghanaians, including women and children, departed Johannesburg's OR Tambo International Airport on one of the first flights home.
Key Takeaways
Ghana has begun the voluntary repatriation of its citizens from South Africa following anti-immigrant protests that have heightened safety concerns. Over 300 Ghanaians, mostly undocumented, departed Johannesburg's OR Tambo International Airport on Wednesday. The move comes amid rising xenophobia in South Africa, where protesters demand stricter controls on migrants blamed for crime and unemployment.
- Ghana repatriates 300 citizens from South Africa after anti-immigrant protests
- Majority of returnees undocumented, with only 10 having valid status
- Around 800 Ghanaians indicated willingness to leave amid safety concerns
- Protests linked to high unemployment and accusations against migrants for crime
- Ghanaian authorities emphasize voluntary nature and diplomatic efforts
According to multiple reports, authorities described the process as voluntary for Ghanaian citizens who no longer feel safe in South Africa. The group included mostly undocumented migrants, with only 10 out of the 300 having legal status in the country, per a South African immigration official speaking to local television station eNCA.
The repatriation follows weeks of anti-immigration protests across South Africa, where campaigners have demanded tighter controls on what they describe as undocumented migrants. Protesters accuse foreigners of contributing to crime and unemployment in the country, where joblessness hovers above 30% and disproportionately affects the Black population.
The protests have been marked by instances of violence against migrants from other sub-Saharan African countries. One Ghanaian preparing to leave told Reuters that repeated harassment had driven his decision, stating, "I'm happy that I'm going to my country ... it's not easy to be in someone else's country and be disturbed all the time."
Ghana's High Commissioner to South Africa, Benjamin Quashie, emphasized that the departures are part of efforts to ease tensions while preserving strong diplomatic ties between the two countries. "The demonstrators have said they want us to work together. We must ensure that those who are undocumented are returned home and that institutions are allowed to function," Quashie said, dismissing speculation of a diplomatic rift.
South African authorities have condemned violence against foreign nationals and pledged to crack down on xenophobic attacks, asserting that such acts have no place in the country's constitutional democracy. The repatriation process is expected to continue as more Ghanaians indicate their desire to leave South Africa amid ongoing safety concerns.
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