The first group of 300 Ghanaian nationals, who accepted their government's voluntary repatriation offer, has departed from O.R. Tambo International Airport in South Africa. The move comes as anti-illegal immigration protests continue to spread across parts of the country.
Ghana's ambassador to South Africa, Benjamin Quashie, said there aren't any diplomatic tensions between Ghana and South Africa. Quashie emphasized that the two countries remain friendly partners with strong bilateral and multilateral relations. 'What we're doing is to help our citizens who feel unwelcome in this country to go back home,' he said.
According to Quashie, about 890 people had registered for the repatriation programme so far, with the initial flight carrying 300 passengers. The next flight is expected to depart within the next few days. 'We can take another 300 people. We'll continue doing this. The numbers will grow each day because whenever any Ghanaian feels they aren't welcome in this country and wants to go home, the government will ensure they return,' Quashie said.
The repatriation comes as tensions over illegal migration continue to rise in South Africa. Nationwide demonstrations are expected on June 30, 2026. The activist group March and March has led demonstrations against undocumented foreign nationals across the country. They've threatened a national shutdown on June 30 if the government fails to address their demands.
The Ghanaian government has also launched a voluntary repatriation programme for citizens wishing to return home, following growing concerns about safety and wellbeing amid heightened tensions linked to the demonstrations. Many Ghanaian nationals who travelled to South Africa in search of better opportunities have found their experiences to become difficult. In some cases, these experiences have become frightening.
Scores of passengers, including elderly people and young children, gathered at the airport to depart as tensions escalated. The Department of Home Affairs' head of immigration and law enforcement, Stephen van Neel, confirmed that 30 of the 300 Ghanaians departing on Wednesday had been held at the Lindela Repatriation Centre. 'We found that we got the list and one of the areas we were concerned about was that not many of them had actual documents,' Van Neel said.
The repatriation exercise was initially scheduled to begin on May 21, 2026, but it was postponed by several days to allow coordination between Ghanaian and South African authorities.
'We're aware that the same aircraft company has been hired again for another batch leaving in less than a week. We'll continue until any Ghanaian in this country who wants to go home is fully repatriated,' Quashie said.
Scores of Ghanaian nationals have registered for the repatriation programme, with plans for further flights in the coming days. 'We're satisfied that those departing can do so. Those who are non-compliant must still face the necessary enforcement and sanctions, especially those who have overstayed or don't have valid documents,' Van Neel said.
The repatriation programme has been welcomed by many Ghanaian nationals who feel unsafe in South Africa amid rising anti-illegal immigration protests. Officials expect the repatriation process to proceed as long as individuals continue to request assistance to return home.