Some Ghanaians stranded in South Africa have appealed to the government to reopen or extend the voluntary evacuation exercise, saying they are desperate to return home after losing their jobs, businesses and accommodation amid xenophobic attacks.
The appeal follows the government’s decision to end the evacuation programme after the final batch of 41 Ghanaians arrived in Ghana on September 4, bringing the total number of returnees to 1,964.
However, some Ghanaians who remain in South Africa say they are still facing severe hardship and are appealing for another opportunity to return home.
Speaking on Eyewitness News on Monday, September 7, 2026, one of the stranded Ghanaians, Margaret Amenuvegbe, said she and others had registered for the evacuation but did not proceed with the subsequent screening due to concerns over conditions at the evacuation centres.
“We came after the screening. We were supposed to register to come home. We did the registration, but we didn’t come for the screening,” she said.
According to her, reports that some evacuees were struggling to secure accommodation at the designated centres discouraged them from completing the process.
“We heard that the place was so crowded, and then there’s nowhere to sleep,” she explained.
Ms. Amenuvegbe said some Ghanaians who had attempted to return earlier were reportedly forced to sleep at a church, raising fears that those who joined the process later could face similar difficulties.
Despite the concerns, she said many stranded Ghanaians remain determined to return home after allegedly being forced out of their workplaces and accommodation.
“We wanted to come. We were ready to come because they even chased us from where we were working and then where we were sleeping,” she said.
She said four adults and four children in her immediate group are currently seeking to return to Ghana, while several other Ghanaians are also in similar circumstances.
Ms. Amenuvegbe further highlighted the difficulties faced by Ghanaians without valid work permits. She said she had lived in South Africa for 14 years and worked as a hairdresser before immigration-related challenges forced her to stop working.
“When you apply for any paper, they don’t issue it. Even if you show it to them, they say, yes, we can see you have a paper, but it doesn’t allow you to work,” she said.
She added that some Ghanaians had lost their businesses and accommodation, leaving them without stable sources of income or shelter.
“It’s like everything is just—we are desperate,” she said.
Ms. Amenuvegbe disclosed that she and others are currently staying at a church while waiting for assistance to return to Ghana.
“We are sleeping on the floor. Even now the things are getting cooler presently because the weather has changed,” she said.
She therefore appealed to the government to reconsider its decision to end the evacuation exercise and provide another opportunity for stranded Ghanaians to return home.
“We are on our knees. We are begging. We don’t want anything. The only thing we have to say is that we are on our knees. We are begging,” she appealed.
According to her, the stranded Ghanaians are ready to leave immediately should the government reopen the evacuation programme.
“Even if they say this night we are ready to go. This night, this week, we are ready to go,” she added.
The government began the voluntary evacuation exercise in May following xenophobic attacks targeting migrants in parts of South Africa.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the exercise was aimed at assisting Ghanaians affected by the attacks and facilitating their safe return to Ghana.
The arrival of the final batch of 41 returnees on September 4 brought the total number of Ghanaians evacuated under the programme to 1,964.
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