Ghana Defers South Africa Evacuation as Authorities Finalize Legal and Screening Requirements

Ghana has postponed the planned evacuation of its nationals from South Africa, citing the need to complete mandatory legal and screening procedures required by South African authorities.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Thursday that more than 800 Ghanaians have registered with the High Commission in Pretoria seeking to return home following the latest wave of xenophobic attacks.

The evacuation, originally scheduled to begin on May 21, 2026, has been deferred by a few days to allow the High Commission to meet conditions set by South African authorities. These include mandatory passenger screening, multi-institutional coordination, and the issuance of flight permits.

“Considering the numbers involved and the South African legal conditions that have to be met, the planned evacuation has been deferred by a few days,” the Ministry stated in a press release.

Enhanced coordination to speed up process

Ghanaian and South African officials have agreed on enhanced and more efficient pre-evacuation modalities to expedite the process once all requirements are met. Senior government officials from both countries remain actively engaged to ensure the exercise proceeds smoothly.

The Ministry said the delay is necessary to ensure compliance with legal procedures and to safeguard the safety and orderly movement of evacuees.

Assurance to Ghanaians in South Africa

The government assured nationals in South Africa that efforts are ongoing to secure their safe return home. It commended those registered for evacuation for their “remarkable understanding and patience” during the process.

“The Government of Ghana assures our nationals in South Africa that best efforts are being pursued to ensure their safe return home,” the statement read.

The Ministry pledged to keep the public informed in a transparent and timely manner, consistent with Ghana’s good governance practices.

The update comes amid heightened concerns over the safety of foreign nationals in parts of South Africa following renewed xenophobic violence. Ghana’s High Commission in Pretoria has been coordinating registration and providing consular support to affected citizens since the situation escalated.