Nearly 300 Ghanaians Return Home as South Africa Anti-Immigrant Unrest Triggers Voluntary Repatriation

May 28, 2026

Mintesinot Nigussie

A coordinated return of Ghanaian nationals from South Africa has gathered pace following recent anti-immigrant protests, with almost 300 citizens arriving in Accra as authorities manage one of the largest voluntary repatriation movements in recent months.

The group, which included children, travelled from Johannesburg to Ghana on Wednesday after expressing concerns over safety amid demonstrations that have targeted undocumented migrants.

Ghanaian officials said about 800 nationals had indicated willingness to leave South Africa in response to the unrest. Diplomatic coordination between Accra and Pretoria facilitated the process.

At Kotoka International Airport, Ghana’s Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa received the returnees and said government support would include psychosocial assistance and transitional allowances.

Among those who arrived, 26 individuals had been detained in South Africa over visa-related issues. Preliminary assessments indicated that only 10 of the 300 returnees were legally resident in the country.

The departures come against the backdrop of weeks of protests in South Africa, where campaigners have called for tighter immigration enforcement.