Ghana’s Evacuation Efforts Gets Off to Quiet Start, Only One Citizen Arrives at Airport to Leave SA
- A single Ghanaian national arrived at OR Tambo International Airport for the evacuation of citizens from South Africa
- 22‑year‑old Sylvester Boakye explained how he slept overnight at the airport to be among the first to leave the country
- Ghana's government made a flight available for 300 citizens to leave the country amid xenophobic attacks
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Byron Pillay, a Briefly News journalist, has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He worked as a newspaper journalist for 10 years before transitioning to online.
GAUTENG – Only one Ghanaian citizen has seemingly shown up at OR Tambo International Airport to get on board the government-chartered flight to head back home.
On 18 May 2026, Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, announced that 300 Ghanaians would be evacuated on 21 May 2026. The minister explained that a government-funded chartered flight would be departing OR Tambo International Airport at 5 am with the citizens.
Two days later, the government announced a special package for all citizens who were evacuated, offering them certain incentives for returning home.
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One Ghanaian spotted at the airport
Despite the free transport and financial incentives, Newzroom Afrika could only find one Ghanaian national at the airport. The publication chatted to 22‑year‑old Sylvester Boakye, who was the only one there, at 7 am, two hours after the flight was due to depart.
He explained that he came to the airport the night before, because he wanted to be among the first in case there were a lot of people.
He added that he worked in a salon in South Africa, cutting hair, and arrived using his passport, which had since expired. He further explained that he has since been using an asylum seeker permit to remain in the country, which he needed to renew every three months.
Boakye confused by the lack of information
Speaking to IOL later in the day, Boakye said he was confused and disappointed. He explained that there was no information available about the flight and no officials at the airport.
He added that he was just waiting for some information about the evacuation efforts, hoping that it could come soon.
Ghanaian government says over 800 citizens want to be evacuated
While only one individual showed up at the airport, the Ghanaian claimed that more than 800 others were looking to get out of South Africa.
The country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs later provided an update, saying that more than 800 Ghanaians registered with the High Commission in Pretoria seeking to be evacuated.
“Considering the numbers involved and the South African legal conditions that have to be met, the planned evacuation has been deferred by a few days to enable our High Commission to meet these evacuation conditions.”
South Africans applaud one Ghanaian national
Briefly News reported that a Ghanaian national took to social media to commend South African authorities for a cleanup campaign in Johannesburg.
The social media user noted that while there are allegations of xenophobia, South African authorities were targeting illegal structures.
Social media users commended the Ghanaian national for highlighting positive changes in South Africa amid the allegations of xenophobia.
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Proofreading by Kelly Lippke, copy editor at Briefly.co.za.
Source: Briefly News
