A chartered flight carrying nearly 300 Ghanaian citizens has arrived in Accra, marking the first phase of a government-led evacuation from South Africa. The repatriation effort was triggered by escalating concerns over xenophobic violence and a surge in anti-immigrant protests across several South African provinces.

High Commissioner Benjamin Quashie confirmed that 297 individuals landed on Wednesday, with officials including Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa present at the airport to welcome the arrivals. The Ghanaian government anticipates further departures in the near future, as approximately 800 more citizens have already registered for repatriation due to safety concerns.

The unrest is being driven by groups such as ‘March and March,’ a citizen-led movement calling for stricter immigration reform. The group has issued a June 30 deadline for undocumented migrants to leave the country, a move that has caused widespread panic among the estimated 25,000 Ghanaians residing in South Africa. Many immigrants have reportedly sought refuge in police stations and government offices to escape potential targeted attacks.

To assist those returning, the Ghanaian government has announced a reintegration strategy designed to help citizens re-establish their businesses and livelihoods at home. This mass movement of people follows a history of significant xenophobic outbreaks in South Africa, highlighting the urgent need for diplomatic and humanitarian intervention to ensure the safety of foreign nationals.