South Africa warns Ghana over 'public spectacles' surrounding the evacuation of Ghanaian nationals

South Africa has issued a sharp diplomatic warning to Ghana over the manner in which the ongoing repatriation of Ghanaian nationals is being publicly handled, saying it will not tolerate what it described as undignified conduct surrounding the evacuation exercise.

The warning comes as hundreds of Ghanaians are being flown home from South Africa following a surge in anti-immigrant protests and violence that have raised serious safety concerns among foreign communities living in the country.

Background: Why Ghanaians Are Leaving

Ghana's government began organizing repatriation flights last month after growing fears over the safety of its citizens in South Africa. The latest evacuation flight drew attention after Ghana's embassy in Pretoria shared a video showing evacuees waving Ghanaian flags aboard the aircraft ahead of departure—a moment that appeared to irritate South African authorities.

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Lamola's Warning

South Africa's Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, responded directly to comments made by Ghana's Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, expressing clear dissatisfaction with the public framing of the evacuation.

In a post on X, Lamola wrote:

"Our initial hope was simply to assist the government of Ghana in repatriating its citizens in a humane and cordial manner."

"However, we will not continue to tolerate... public spectacles characterized by incomplete information and outright misinformation devoid of any diplomatic decorum."

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A Country With a Xenophobia Problem

South Africa remains one of the continent's most sought-after destinations for migrant workers, drawing both documented and undocumented migrants from across Africa due to its relatively advanced economy. However, an unemployment rate exceeding 30 percent has repeatedly fuelled xenophobic sentiment and violence over the years.

The latest wave of anti-immigrant unrest has been particularly alarming. A video allegedly showing the brutal assault of a Ghanaian man circulated widely on social media, intensifying public outrage and adding urgency to Ghana's evacuation efforts.

Evacuations Ongoing

Several repatriation flights have already been completed, with additional evacuations expected as Ghana continues to respond to the deteriorating situation on the ground in South Africa.