Ghana’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Benjamin Quarshie, has cautioned Ghanaians participating in the ongoing repatriation exercise that they could face serious legal consequences if they attempt to return to South Africa after being repatriated.
Speaking on JoyPrime on Wednesday, June 3, ahead of a planned repatriation operation involving nearly 700 Ghanaians, Mr Quarshie stressed the importance of understanding the long-term implications of the process before opting to return home.
According to the High Commissioner, biometric registration is a key component of the repatriation programme, and individuals who undergo the process will be prohibited from re-entering South Africa for a specified period.
“Once your fingerprints are taken during the repatriation process, you cannot return to South Africa. Anyone who does so faces a compulsory 10-year ban,” he warned.
Mr Quarshie explained that the restriction forms part of South Africa’s immigration regulations governing the voluntary repatriation of foreign nationals.
His remarks come ahead of the second phase of Ghana’s repatriation exercise, scheduled to take place over the weekend. The operation is being coordinated by Ghana’s diplomatic mission in South Africa in collaboration with Ghanaian community organisations.
The exercise is expected to facilitate the return of nearly 700 Ghanaians who have chosen to leave South Africa amid growing concerns over xenophobic attacks and the safety of foreign nationals in parts of the country.
Mr Quarshie urged prospective participants to carefully weigh the consequences of repatriation before making a final decision, noting that the process could affect their ability to return to South Africa in the future.
The Ghanaian mission, working alongside community groups and other stakeholders, has been providing support to affected citizens while making arrangements to ensure a smooth and orderly return to Ghana.
The repatriation effort forms part of ongoing measures by the government to assist Ghanaian nationals seeking to leave South Africa in response to growing security concerns and uncertainty over their continued stay in the country.
