A second flight carrying 345 Ghanaians escaping xenophobic attacks in South Africa (SA) landed in Accra on Saturday, June 6, as government widens its rescue of citizens facing threats abroad.
The arrivals at Kotoka International Airport form part of Accra’s emergency evacuation plan run by the Foreign Affairs Ministry and Ghana’s mission in Pretoria. The operation follows renewed violence and hostility targeting foreign nationals.
This group comes after roughly 300 people returned on May 27. That first trip had shifted from May 21 due to logistical hurdles. The latest flight was also postponed when sign-ups topped forecasts. Officials say more than 1,500 Ghanaians have now requested repatriation amid reports of assaults, intimidation and destroyed property. Many returnees left behind businesses, jobs and belongings after years of living in South Africa.
The recent unrest forced them to abandon their livelihoods.The airlifts respond to a fresh surge of xenophobic incidents in South Africa, where migrants from across Africa report harassment and attacks. The trend has sparked criticism from governments and rights bodies who say it damages African unity.Another plane with over 300 passengers is due in Accra on Sunday, June 7.
