Ghana Rejects $18m Bill for Evacuation of Nationals from South Africa
By Maame Efua Kwaduah
The government has rejected reports that Ghana could be required to reimburse South Africa about $18 million for the evacuation of Ghanaian nationals following recent xenophobic attacks.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Ghana did not request any financial or material assistance from the South African government to evacuate its citizens, stressing that the repatriation exercise was fully funded by Ghana.
In a statement the Ministry said the evacuation of Ghanaian nationals was financed by the Government of Ghana and its local partners.
“The evacuation of all our compatriots was fully funded by the Government of Ghana and our Ghanaian partners,” the Ministry stated.
The clarification follows media reports that South Africa was seeking approximately $18 million in reimbursement from several African countries for support and facilitation provided during the evacuation of their nationals.
According to the Ministry, Ghana did not seek any financial or material support from South Africa to bring its nationals back home.
It further explained that the latest phase of the evacuation exercise was also being funded entirely by Ghana, with the government and Ghanaian partners covering the associated costs.
Since May 2026, more than 1,600 Ghanaians have been evacuated from South Africa, with the repatriation exercise still ongoing.
The government said its assistance to returnees extends beyond transportation. Evacuees are also provided with reintegration funds, transport fares and other relief items after arriving in Ghana.
The Ministry assured Ghanaians that the country would not be included among the nations being asked by South Africa to reimburse expenses incurred in repatriating foreign nationals.
“Ghanaians can therefore be assured that under no circumstances will Ghana be listed among the countries being requested by the Government of South Africa to reimburse the cost incurred in repatriating foreign nationals,” the Ministry said.
The Ministry also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to protecting Ghanaian citizens abroad and taking timely and decisive action whenever their safety and security are threatened.
It stressed that the government would continue to prioritise the welfare of Ghanaians overseas and provide the necessary support when circumstances put their lives or livelihoods at risk, regardless of the financial cost involved.
