Ghanaian Evacuation Amid Rising Xenophobia in South Africa
On 27 May 2024 a chartered aircraft touched down in Accra carrying nearly 300 Ghanaian nationals who had fled South Africa following a fresh wave of anti‑immigrant protests. The landing was met not with celebration but with a palpable sense of relief among passengers who described feeling unsafe and economically stranded in their host country.
Why Ghanaians Left South Africa
The exodus stemmed from escalating violence and harassment directed at foreign nationals, particularly in KwaZulu‑Natal and the Eastern Cape. Reports from local media and eyewitness accounts indicated that shops owned by migrants were looted, homes were vandalised, and individuals faced physical intimidation.
Benjamin Quashie, Ghana’s High Commissioner to South Africa, summed up the situation in an interview with the BBC:
“The Ghanaian government was listening to the plight of its citizens in South Africa who felt that their lives were in danger, who felt that the economic activity they were doing had come to a standstill, who felt unwelcome in this country.”
According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), an estimated 200,000 Ghanaian nationals resided in South Africa as of 2023, many working in informal trade, construction, and domestic service.
Official Responses
South African authorities characterised the disturbances as “sporadic incidents of confrontation against some immigrants… by sections of our communities” in a statement issued on 8 May after Ghana requested an African Union debate on the matter. The government said it had directed law‑enforcement agencies to arrest perpetrators and stressed that “there is no credible evidence at this time” that Ghanaian or Nigerian nationals were killed by police during the protests.
Contrastingly, the United Nations voiced deep concern. On Freedom Day, 27 April 2024, Secretary‑General António Guterres’ spokesperson said:
“The Secretary‑General is deeply concerned by reports of xenophobic attacks and harassment and intimidation against migrants and foreign nationals in parts of South Africa, including KwaZulu‑Natal and the Eastern Cape Province. He strongly condemns these criminal acts by individuals who incite violence and exploit socio‑economic conditions.”
Human Rights Watch (HRW) released a brief on 20 May, noting that attacks against Africans and Asians appeared to have received “little or inadequate response from police and other authorities.” The organisation urged the South African government to ensure impartial investigations and to protect the rights of all residents regardless of nationality.
Impact on the Ghanaian Community
For many of those aboard the May 27 flight, the decision to leave was abrupt. Interviews with returnees highlighted common themes:
- Loss of livelihood: street vendors reported that their stalls were destroyed or seized.
- Fear for personal safety: several women described being threatened while walking to markets.
- Economic strain: remittances to families in Ghana ceased, creating financial hardship back home.
The Ghanaian government arranged the evacuation in coordination with the South African Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation. Officials said the operation prioritised undocumented migrants who lacked the means to secure safe passage on their own.
Looking Forward
While the immediate crisis has eased for those who returned, analysts warn that underlying tensions remain. The African Union has called for a regional dialogue on migration management, urging member states to address the socioeconomic drivers of xenophobia—such as unemployment and competition for informal‑sector jobs.
Continued monitoring by NGOs, UN agencies, and bilateral partners will be essential to ensure that the rights of migrants are upheld and that future flare‑ups are prevented through inclusive policies and community‑based conflict‑resolution initiatives.
