Trending Now - Ghana Starts Repatriating Citizens Amid South Africa Tensions

WHO:

ABC News - Ghana's High Commissioner to South Africa, Benjamin Quashie, is involved in the repatriation program.

ABC News - Loren Landau, a migration expert and political analyst at the University of the Witwatersrand, commented on the situation.

WHAT:

ABC News - Ghana has started a voluntary repatriation program for its citizens in response to anti-immigration tensions in South Africa.

ABC News - The first group of around 300 Ghanaian nationals flew back to Ghana as part of this program.

ABC News - More than 800 Ghanaians registered with the Ghana High Commission in Pretoria for evacuation.

WHERE:

ABC News - The repatriation flights are departing from Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, South Africa.

ABC News - The Ghana High Commission is located in Pretoria, South Africa.

WHEN:

ABC News - The first repatriation flight occurred on a Wednesday.

ABC News - The next flight to Ghana is expected to depart on Sunday.

WHY:

ABC News - The repatriation program was initiated due to renewed demonstrations over illegal immigration in South Africa, fueled by frustrations over unemployment, crime, and access to services.

ABC News - Ghana recently summoned South Africa's ambassador over reported attacks on Ghanaians, prompting the evacuation decision.

HOW:

ABC News - The repatriation effort is being carried out in coordination with South African officials.

ABC News - Some of those repatriated had been held at the Lindela Repatriation Centre for immigration-related matters.

(UPDATED May 27, 2026 18:03 UTC)

Ghana has launched a voluntary repatriation program for its citizens in response to rising anti-immigration tensions in South Africa, with the first group of around 300 Ghanaians already returning home. The repatriation flights are departing from Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, and the next flight to Ghana is expected to take off on Sunday. Ghana's High Commissioner to South Africa, Benjamin Quashie, is overseeing the program, which has seen more than 800 Ghanaians register for evacuation amid concerns over safety and reported attacks on their community.