Ghanaians still stranded in South Africa have appealed to the government to reopen its voluntary evacuation exercise, saying they are desperate to return home after losing their jobs, businesses and accommodation amid renewed xenophobic attacks.
The appeal follows the government’s decision to end the evacuation exercise after the final batch of 41 Ghanaians arrived in Ghana on September 4, bringing the total number of returnees to 1,964.
However, some Ghanaians who remain in South Africa say their situation has continued to deteriorate and are calling for another opportunity to return home.
One of the stranded citizens, Margaret Amenuvegbe, said she and others initially registered for the evacuation but failed to complete the subsequent screening process after receiving reports of overcrowding and inadequate accommodation at evacuation centres.
She said the reports discouraged them from proceeding, despite their desire to return to Ghana.
Speaking on Citi FM on Monday, September 7, 2026, Ms Amenuvegbe said she and others were ready to leave but were forced into increasingly difficult circumstances.
“We wanted to come. We were ready to come because they even chased us from where we were working and then where we were sleeping,” she said.
Eight-member group seeks to return
Ms Amenuvegbe said four adults and four children in her immediate group are seeking assistance to return to Ghana, while several other Ghanaians are reportedly facing similar challenges.
She disclosed that she had lived in South Africa for 14 years, where she worked as a hairdresser before immigration-related difficulties forced her to stop working.
According to her, the situation has become particularly difficult for Ghanaians without valid work permits, leaving many vulnerable to job losses, eviction and other hardships.
She therefore appealed to the government to reconsider its decision and extend the voluntary evacuation exercise, arguing that many citizens who remain in South Africa are still in distress and need assistance to return home.
The stranded Ghanaians are hopeful that the government will reopen the programme to give those who missed the earlier evacuation opportunity a chance to return safely.
