ACCRA/PRETORIA — Ghana has announced plans to evacuate about 300 citizens from South Africa following renewed protests targeting foreign nationals and growing fears over xenophobic violence.
Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa said on X that President John Dramani Mahama had authorised the “immediate evacuation” of distressed Ghanaians who had registered with the Ghanaian embassy in Pretoria.
According to Ablakwa, the evacuation followed a foreign ministry advisory issued after what he described as the latest wave of xenophobic attacks in South Africa.
The announcement comes amid heightened tensions after thousands of South Africans joined demonstrations against illegal immigration, demanding mass deportations of undocumented foreign nationals.
Protesters argue that illegal immigration has contributed to unemployment, housing shortages, and rising crime levels.
South African authorities, however, have disputed reports of widespread attacks on foreigners. Last week, officials said videos circulating online purporting to show assaults on migrants were fabricated or misleading.
On Monday, Cyril Ramaphosa acknowledged recent “protests and criminal acts directed at foreign nationals” but insisted the incidents did not reflect government policy.
“These are isolated acts of criminality,” Ramaphosa said, while adding that his administration would continue efforts to regulate migration, secure borders, and enforce immigration laws.
The Ghana Embassy in Pretoria on Tuesday advised Ghanaian nationals to avoid public gatherings and prioritise personal safety, particularly in the port city of Durban, where another anti-immigration protest is expected on Wednesday.
The embassy also urged Ghanaians operating businesses in affected areas to temporarily close their shops as a precaution.
Tensions between South Africa and several African governments have escalated in recent days. Ghana and Nigeria have both summoned South African envoys over concerns about the treatment and harassment of their citizens.
Ghana has further petitioned the African Union to discuss the issue, warning that the unrest poses a “serious risk” to Africans living in South Africa.
Pretoria has defended its handling of the situation, saying it has “nothing to hide” and condemning the spread of what it described as fake videos and misinformation online.
Other African countries, including Kenya, Malawi, Lesotho, and Zimbabwe, have also issued safety advisories to their nationals in South Africa.
According to official figures, more than three million foreign nationals live in South Africa, representing roughly 5 P.c of the population, though estimates suggest the actual number may be significantly higher due to undocumented migration.
