Xenophobic attacks in parts of South Africa have caused Ghanaians living in South Africa to appeal to authorities for urgent evacuation as fears grow over renewed attacks, with many saying they no longer feel safe remaining there.
The appeals were made during a meeting held at the Ghana High Commission in Pretoria, where distressed Ghanaian nationals shared experiences of intimidation, insecurity and economic hardship while urging officials to accelerate efforts to bring them back home.
Several individuals who addressed the gathering described worsening living conditions and increasing anxiety following reports of renewed anti-foreigner sentiments.
One emotional woman said she had been seeking a way to return to Ghana since last year after her plans in South Africa failed to materialise.
“Since last year, I have wanted to leave this country because the situation that brought me here did not work out. I want to go back home, and I need to go back home,” she said tearfully.
Another Ghanaian, who identified himself as a teacher legally employed in South Africa, claimed that many migrants with valid documentation were being unfairly forced into irregular immigration status.
“We don’t want to stay here. I’m sick and tired of this country,” he said, while insisting that many Ghanaians had entered and worked legally.
According to him, some Ghanaians who previously held permanent residence permits or business permits later had their documentation revoked or questioned by immigration authorities.
“Some have business permits. They came with business permits; they renewed them here three times. At the end of the other renewals, they said fraudulent,” he alleged.
Concerns were also raised about the safety of Ghanaians living outside Pretoria, with some unable to travel to the High Commission to register for evacuation due to fear of attacks during transit.
One woman explained that many nationals were reluctant to use public transport after hearing reports of foreigners allegedly being targeted.
“Some of us outside Pretoria can’t even travel by bus or taxis for them to come and register their names because they are scared,” she said.
She referenced fears surrounding the use of the derogatory term “makwerekwere,” often used against foreign nationals in South Africa, and questioned what safety measures were available for vulnerable migrants attempting to reach evacuation centres.
Some Ghanaian business owners also described what they called persistent intimidation and harassment from certain law enforcement officers.
“One police officer can come to your office and intimidate you to the extent that your whole day will be messed up,” one businessman stated.
He appealed for calm and peaceful engagement if authorities wanted undocumented migrants or foreign nationals to leave the country.
“So we plead that if they want us to go, they should tell us calmly. We didn’t come here with anything, so we can just leave so we don’t have any arguments or fights,” he added.
Another businessman warned that the tensions could persist for a long time and disclosed that some Ghanaian entrepreneurs were already considering handing over their businesses to South African partners before departing permanently.
“What we are seeing or witnessing is not something that is going to end today,” he said.
Meanwhile, Benjamin Quashie, in an interview with DW Africa on Sunday, May 24, confirmed that the first batch of evacuated Ghanaians is expected to arrive in Accra on Wednesday, May 27.
According to him, officials are currently screening and verifying the identities of individuals who have registered to return home.
“We are screening them, and once we are done, we will let them know the number of people who will be going to Ghana,” he stated.
Mr Quashie disclosed that the first evacuation flight is expected to transport about 300 passengers, with two additional flights planned afterwards to evacuate more Ghanaians who wish to leave South Africa due to safety concerns.
“The first group has an aircraft that will take 300, and after a few days, we will take another 300, and then there will be a third flight with another 300 to ensure that we get everyone home,” he added.
By: Janice Opoku-Agyemang
