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- Author, myeni jones
- reporting from, johannesburg
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South African officials say only 295 Ghanaians are eligible to board the flight so far. The Government of Ghana has arranged for the voluntary repatriation of its citizens to South Africa.
On Wednesday, the first batch of Ghanaians arriving from South Africa welcomed the ongoing anti-immigrant protests in South Africa.
About 300 Ghanaians, including women and children, who had flown in from South Africa, landed safely at their destinations to return home.
Ghanaian citizens returning home from South Africa must register for voluntary repatriation with the Government of Ghana.
According to the Border Management Authority (BMA), only 295 Ghanaians have returned home as five of those travelers still have documentation issues that still need to be resolved.
BMA Tok says a passenger is seeking asylum in South Africa and is not allowed to board the plane until he cancels his application for protection in South Africa.
“All asylum seekers must cancel Dia's application for protection if they wish to flee and return,” the BMA said.
Officials also reported that the second passenger is not suitable to travel as his passport has already expired and the embassy has no problem with an emergency travel certificate, while the third passenger is carrying two small photographs of his sister and is not suitable to travel without parental competition.
“A woman was trying to travel with two small photographs of her sister. However, she was not able to find any documents to show her relationship or consent to her sister,” the BMA said.
The BMA further clarified that they hand over all passengers refused departure to the High Commissioner of Ghana for future repatriation when they meet “relevant immigration requirements for departure”.
About 300 Ghanaians, including women and children, who had received government aid from South Africa, arrived in Accra.
He became part of the De Ova 1000 Pipo and expressed interest in returning home due to anti-immigration protests in South Africa, calling for undocumented immigrants to leave by June 30.
Ghana's Minister of Foreign Affairs Samuel Okudjato Ablakwa and Oda government officials welcomed him to D Airport.
The DI 297 arrived on a chartered flight arranged by the Ghanaian government.
They include men, women and children of all ages.
The action follows a wave of protests against illegal immigration in South African cities in recent weeks, sparking fears it could spark xenophobic violence in the country. All passengers have been registered by embassy and airport staff.
Before my arrival, Rudolph, who lived in South Africa for 10 years and owned a salon which he managed, told the BBC that I was leaving because of the recent protests.
“It's not comfortable for us to stay here anymore, so we can leave. I think we're going to find peace for home,” he said.
About 25,000 Ghanaians live in South Africa.
Protesters say illegal immigrants put a strain on public services and call on the South African government to do more to stop them.
A group called March and March organized demonstrations. The group describes DiSafe as a citizen-led movement for immigration reform.
The government set a June 30 deadline for illegal immigrants in the Comôte de Contre. Rudolph worries that the deadline could lead to violence.
“The protests start in Durban, and later move to Oda provinces. So they definitely say something bad must have happened.”
He said that I would not return to South Africa.
Ghana's High Commissioner Benjamin Quashie told the BBC that I am going to ensure that the citizens of the country remain safe.
“The Ghanaian government has not listened to the plight of Indian citizens of South Africa, they believe Dia is living in danger, they believe they no longer have to pay for economic activities, they feel unprepared for the sector, and it is not the responsibility of the Ghanaian government to ensure that their citizens are looked after both at home and abroad.”
Where did this photo come from? EPA
When he asked Ghanaian authorities what they were doing to ensure that illegal immigrants from Ghana do not enter South Africa, he said they should adopt a reintegration strategy to return.
“The government is ready to set them up for whatever businesses will do for South Africa. In a way, we are also helping the South African economy, because they have clearly stated that some of the demands are undocumented.
“So get them out of here and tell them we are no Pipo, they allow undocumented Pipo for contras.”
Some analysts say the resurgence of anti-immigrant sentiment in South Africa may be linked to local elections in November.
For 2019, rioters killed at least 12 Pipo and for 2008, 62 foreign nationals were killed in attacks on foreigners in De Conti.
But organizers of the recent protests say they are peaceful.
Photos of Ghanaians who arrived today
