A total of 342 Ghanaian nationals evacuated from the Republic of South Africa following recent xenophobic attacks have arrived in Ghana aboard the third evacuation flight.
The evacuees were received at the Kotoka International Airport by Deputy Chief of Staff in charge of Administration, Honourable Nana Oye Bampoe Addo; Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, Honourable James Gyakye Quayson (MP); Deputy Director-General of the National Disaster Management Organisation, Mr. Albert Akuka Alalzuuga; Chief Executive Officer of the National Youth Authority, Mr. Osman Ayariga; Managing Director of the Ghana Airports Company Limited, Mrs. Yvone Nana Afriyie Opare; Group Executive, Finance of GACL, Reverend Dr. John Okwesie Arthur; and other senior government officials.
Welcoming the evacuees, Honourable Nana Oye Bampoe Addo assured them of Government’s commitment to supporting their reintegration. She highlighted social intervention measures including employment and skills development opportunities under the National Apprenticeship Programme, enrolment onto the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), and assistance in acquiring Ghana Cards.
Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, Honourable James Gyakye Quayson, encouraged the returnees to remain optimistic and focus on healing. He urged them to channel their resilience and entrepreneurial spirit into rebuilding their lives in Ghana, noting that they had been registered in a national database to facilitate access to assistance and opportunities. He emphasized that the diaspora is the “17th Region” of Ghana and acknowledged its significant contribution to national development.
The evacuees expressed gratitude to Government for facilitating their safe return and pledged to contribute their quota to nation-building.
This third evacuation flight underscores Ghana’s commitment to safeguarding its citizens abroad and ensuring their smooth resettlement at home.
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