The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has stated that Ghana fully funded the evacuation of its nationals from South Africa following recent xenophobic attacks, and did not seek any financial or material support from the South African Government to do so.

In a press statement dated August 13, 2026, the Ministry said the Government of Ghana had taken note of media publications indicating that the Government of South Africa is requesting reimbursement amounting to $18 million from a number of African countries for support extended in evacuating their nationals.

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to state for the record, in unequivocal terms, that the evacuation of all our compatriots was fully funded by the Government of Ghana and our Ghanaian partners," the statement said, adding: "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 said the latest round of evacuations followed the same principle, with the Government of Ghana and its Ghanaian partners bearing the entire cost.

Over 1,600 Ghanaians evacuated since May

According to the statement, more than 1,600 Ghanaians have been evacuated home from South Africa by the Government of Ghana since May 2026, and the evacuations continue. The Ministry said evacuees are provided with reintegration funds, transport fares and other relief items upon arrival in Ghana, as part of the Government's commitment to ensuring their smooth reintegration.

"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 statement said.

The Ministry reiterated the Government's commitment to protecting the lives and welfare of Ghanaian citizens wherever they may be, and said it would continue to take timely and decisive action whenever the safety and security of Ghanaians abroad are at risk, "regardless of the cost required."

The statement also conveyed gratitude to President John Mahama and Ghanaian partners for ensuring a fully Ghanaian-funded evacuation.