The Government of Ghana has started returning 327 Ghanaian citizens who were left stranded in Côte d’Ivoire after local authorities conducted a demolition operation in the Port Bouët district of Abidjan.
As stated in a press statement released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the impacted Ghanaians lost their homes and income sources when the demolition destroyed the neighbourhood where they lived.
The Ministry reported that the government has already arranged the return of 228 Ghanaian nationals, who reached Ghana safely on Thursday, June 11, 2026.
Plans have also been finalised for the remaining 99 people to come back home on Friday, June 12.
The return operation is part of the Government of Ghana’s actions to offer urgent support to citizens hit by the situation and guarantee their safe arrival and resettlement into communities.
In the statement, the Ministry noted that all 327 Ghanaians had been staying in areas affected by the demolition and later became stranded after losing their means of earning a living and lacking funds to find new housing in Côte d’Ivoire.
Beyond the return effort, Ghana is also seeking payment for those harmed by the demolition.
“The Ministry further wishes to acknowledge that Ivorian authorities have expressed their desire to compensate the victims of their demolition exercise and shall therefore remain actively engaged on the matter to ensure that the promised compensation is received by our affected nationals.
To this effect, Ghana’s diplomatic mission in Abidjan will continue to carry out the much needed coordination.
”Consequently, the Government of Ghana plans to keep working closely with officials in Côte d’Ivoire to make sure the pledged payment reaches the affected Ghanaian citizens.
The statement added that Ghana’s embassy in Abidjan will keep handling coordination and working with relevant parties to move the payment process forward and resolve any remaining issues concerning the well-being of the affected people.
