The Minority Caucus on Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee has criticised government over the postponement of the planned evacuation of Ghanaians living in South Africa following renewed xenophobic attacks in the country.
In a statement issued on May 22, 2026, and signed by the Ranking Member on the Committee and Member of Parliament for Damongo, Samuel Abu Jinapor, the caucus described the delay as “deeply troubling” and questioned government’s handling of the safety concerns involving Ghanaian citizens abroad.
According to the Minority, recent xenophobic tensions in South Africa have created fear and uncertainty among foreign nationals, including Ghanaians, leading to growing concerns over their safety and welfare.
The caucus noted that reports of intimidation and attacks prompted government to announce plans to evacuate affected Ghanaians from the country.
It further revealed that hundreds of Ghanaians had reportedly registered with Ghana’s High Commission in Pretoria in anticipation of being evacuated or receiving assistance.
However, government later postponed the evacuation exercise, citing legal and logistical difficulties. The Minority argued that such challenges should have been addressed before the announcement was made public.
“Such matters should not become obstacles in the middle of a crisis response. They are issues that ought to have been considered and addressed before commitments were made publicly,” the statement stressed.
The Minority said it had consistently called for swift and coordinated action since the crisis began, insisting that protecting Ghanaians abroad remains a key responsibility of government.
The caucus also expressed concern that the postponement raises questions about the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ preparedness and approach to crisis management and citizen protection.
“Behind every statistic is a Ghanaian citizen, a family living in fear, and people looking to their country for protection and reassurance,” the statement added.
The Minority has therefore renewed its call on government to act urgently, provide regular updates to affected citizens and the public, and ensure all necessary steps are taken to protect the dignity, welfare, and safety of Ghanaians living abroad.