Ghana has narrowly avoided being included in a potential repatriation reimbursement arrangement by the South African government after choosing to independently evacuate its nationals following xenophobic attacks in South Africa.
The Ghanaian government reportedly declined assistance offered by South African authorities and instead took responsibility for evacuating affected Ghanaian citizens, a decision that has now spared the country from demands for reimbursement.
South Africa is seeking reimbursement from several African countries, including Nigeria, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia and Mozambique, over expenses incurred in housing and transporting migrants who requested to return to their respective home countries.
According to South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs, the country spent nearly US$18 million on the repatriation exercise. The department is seeking reimbursement from the affected countries to recover part of the cost.
Ghana, however, is not among the countries being asked to reimburse South Africa.
The development follows Ghana’s swift response to the xenophobic attacks, with the government arranging the evacuation of its nationals from South Africa.
More than 1,600 Ghanaians have so far been repatriated through a combination of chartered and commercial flights. The exercise was financed by the Ghanaian government, with support from some private businesses.
Upon arrival at the Accra International Airport, returnees were provided with reintegration allowances, transport fares and other relief items to support their return and resettlement.
The government’s decision to take full responsibility for the evacuation has been praised by many Ghanaians, who believe the move helped protect citizens and ensure their safe return amid the unrest.
Sources indicate that South African authorities offered to support Ghana’s repatriation exercise, but the Ghanaian government declined the offer and opted to independently fund and coordinate the evacuation of its nationals.
The financial burden of South Africa’s broader repatriation programme was disclosed during a briefing by officials of the Department of Home Affairs to Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs.
The situation has highlighted the importance of swift government intervention in protecting citizens abroad, particularly during periods of unrest and xenophobic violence.
Story by Stephen Kwaku Owusu Mintah
Ahotoronline | Accra.