The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has clarified that Ghana will not be required to reimburse South Africa for the evacuation of Ghanaian nationals from the country following recent xenophobic attacks.
According to the Ministry, the evacuation exercise was fully financed by the Government of Ghana and Ghanaian partners, with no financial or material assistance sought from the South African government.
The clarification follows media reports suggesting that the South African government was seeking about US$18 million in reimbursement from several African countries for costs incurred in evacuating their nationals from South Africa.
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In a statement issued on Thursday, August 13, 2026, the Ministry said it had taken note of the reports and considered it necessary to clarify Ghana’s position.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Ghana did not seek any financial or material support from the South African Government to bring our fellow nationals back home,” the Ministry stated.
It explained that the latest evacuation exercise was conducted under the same arrangement, with the Government of Ghana and Ghanaian partners bearing the full cost of bringing affected citizens home.
The Ministry disclosed that more than 1,600 Ghanaians have been evacuated from South Africa since May 2026, with the exercise still ongoing.
It said the government had also provided support to the returnees to facilitate their reintegration into Ghanaian society.
According to the Ministry, evacuees received reintegration funds, transport fares and other relief items upon arrival in the country.
The assistance, it explained, formed part of measures to help affected Ghanaians settle after their return and begin the process of rebuilding their lives.
The Ministry dismissed suggestions that Ghana could be included among countries expected to reimburse South Africa for evacuation-related expenses.
It assured Ghanaians that the country would not be required to refund the South African government for the repatriation exercise.
“Ghanaians can therefore be assured that under no circumstances will Ghana be listed among the countries being requested to reimburse South Africa for the cost incurred in repatriating foreign nationals,” the statement said.
The Ministry stressed that the government remains committed to protecting Ghanaian nationals abroad and would continue to intervene whenever their safety and security are threatened.
It said such interventions would be undertaken regardless of the financial cost involved.
The Ministry also expressed appreciation to President John Dramani Mahama and Ghanaian partners for their support towards the evacuation of the affected nationals.