Ghana’s Foreign Minister Ablakwa defends evacuation from South Africa — MyJoyOnline

Ghana’s Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa said during a meeting with the Ghanaian community in New York on September 25, 2026, that the government would continue to prioritize the safety, welfare and dignity of citizens. He defended the decision to evacuate Ghanaians from South Africa despite criticism from some people who, after returning to Ghana, said they regretted it.

Minister’s response

Ablakwa was responding to reports that some evacuees had expected to find employment after returning to Ghana but had still not found jobs. According to him, the criticism would not change the authorities’ approach to protecting citizens returned from dangerous situations, conflicts, crises and following xenophobic attacks.

As MyJoyOnline reports, the minister noted that after safely returning to peaceful and democratic Ghana, people can express their own assessments and comment to the media.

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Evacuee’s complaints

The discussion was prompted by comments from Kofi Baa, one of those evacuated from South Africa. Speaking on Max TV on September 24, he said that he regretted returning because the employment opportunities that had allegedly been promised had not materialized.

Baa said he received government support of 5,000 Ghanaian cedis, but the money was insufficient for the needs of his family with four children. He spent part of the amount on housing rent. According to the man, the promise of a job was one of the main factors why many people agreed to leave South Africa. He also said that four months after returning, he had not found a job, although he had submitted a résumé at the authorities’ request.