Ghana welcomes first group fleeing South African anti-immigration protests

A plane carrying 300 Ghanaian nationals, including women and children, landed in Accra after evacuation from South Africa following anti-immigration protests. Ghanaian authorities described the process as voluntary repatriation for citizens who no longer felt safe due to rising xenophobia, harassment, job losses, and violence. South Africa’s Border Management Authority said about 90% of the travellers were undocumented, with many having overstayed visas by more than 30 days and some by a year or more. South Africa worked with Ghanaian authorities on a list of about 800 people who wanted to leave. Ghana’s high commissioner criticized South African immigration processing backlogs for permit renewals. Reports also described violence against migrants from other sub-Saharan African countries, prompting some Ghanaians to leave.

"A plane carrying 300 Ghanaian nationals evacuated from South Africa due to anti-immigration protests has landed in Accra. The group, which included women and children, arrived at the airport in Ghana's capital on Wednesday. Authorities described their evacuation as a voluntary repatriation process for Ghanaian citizens who no longer feel safe in South Africa amid rising xenophobia that has left migrants facing harassment, job losses and violence."

"South Africa has worked with Ghanaian authorities on a list of approximately 800 people who had indicated they want to leave, as a wave of anti-immigration protests has seen campaigners demanding tighter controls on undocumented migrants, and accusing foreigners of contributing to crime and unemployment. Wherever Ghanaians are, we will make sure you are protected, Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa said as he greeted the group at the airport."

"South Africa's Border Management Authority said about 90 percent of Wednesday's travellers were undocumented, with most having overstayed a visa by more than 30 days and some by a year or more. Ghana's high commissioner to South Africa, Benjamin Quashie, however, has criticised South African authorities for backlogs in immigration processing for those seeking to renew their permits."

"The anti-immigrant protests have been accompanied by instances of violence against migrants from other sub-Saharan African countries. One Ghanaian said repeated harassment had driven his decision to leave. "I'm happy that I'm going to my country it's not easy to be in someone else's country and be disturbed all the time," he told the Reuters news agency."

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