The government has announced a special aid package for Ghanaians being evacuated from South Africa following renewed xenophobic tensions in some parts of the country.
The intervention follows reports of attacks on foreign nationals in some South African communities, where African immigrants have reportedly been targeted over unemployment and economic frustrations.
Some incidents reportedly resulted in deaths, destruction of property and displacement of migrants from their homes and businesses.
President John Dramani Mahama has since directed the evacuation of the first batch of 300 Ghanaians from the country.
In a social media post on Wednesday, May 20, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, announced that the affected persons would receive financial and reintegration assistance upon their arrival in Ghana.
According to a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs, the package includes a “Welcome Home Financial Package”, transportation assistance to various destinations across the country, reintegration allowance and free psychosocial support.
The ministry further revealed that those evacuated will also get “entry into a special database for jobs and startup opportunities”.
The post read in part, “The Government of Ghana has announced a special package for Ghanaians arriving tomorrow following the evacuation due to South African xenophobic attacks.”