Engineers and Planners paid GHc16m towards evacuation of Ghanaians from South Africa – Ablakwa

The government has disclosed that businessman Ibrahim Mahama’s Engineers and Planners Limited contributed GH¢16 million towards the evacuation of Ghanaians from South Africa following recent xenophobic attacks .

Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, speaking at a press briefing on Monday, September 7, revealed that the total cost of the evacuation exercise amounted to GH¢49,721,786. The government provided GH¢33,721,786 of the total expenditure, with Engineers and Planners covering the remaining GH¢16 million .

Breakdown of evacuation costs

According to the Minister, the evacuation was carried out in two phases. The first phase, conducted in May and June 2026, brought 979 Ghanaians home in three batches. A second phase was subsequently undertaken after about 1,000 more Ghanaians voluntarily registered to return, bringing the total number evacuated to 1,964 .

Mr Ablakwa provided a detailed breakdown of the expenditure: GH¢38.84 million was spent on chartered flights, air tickets, ground transportation, feeding, accommodation, and medical care for the evacuees . An additional GH¢10.80 million went towards reintegration support and transportation allowances, with each of the 1,964 returnees receiving GH¢5,000 as a reintegration grant and GH¢500 for transportation . The government also spent GH¢84,274 to repatriate the mortal remains of two Ghanaians who died during the crisis .

Mr Ablakwa confirmed that the total amount has been fully settled, with no outstanding liabilities .

Comprehensive support for returnees

Beyond the evacuation, the government provided additional welfare support to facilitate reintegration. Returning nationals received medical and psychosocial support, with psychologists and trauma counsellors deployed to provide assistance upon arrival and through community-based follow-up sessions . The evacuees benefited from free health insurance registration through the National Health Insurance Authority, free medical screening by Port Health, and free SIM cards loaded with data and airtime from telecommunications companies .

Other support included food packages from the National Buffer Stock Company, psychosocial assistance from the International Organization for Migration, NADMO, and the Red Cross, as well as free accommodation provided by the Church of Pentecost in Pretoria, Kempton Park, and Johannesburg .

Employment opportunities secured

About 200 employment opportunities have been secured through partnerships with Ghanaian-owned businesses and private sector organisations as part of the reintegration programme . Engineers and Planners alone has committed to employing 100 returning Ghanaians, while telecommunications companies including AirtelTigo, Telecel and other corporate institutions have also pledged to absorb some of the evacuees .

Mr Ablakwa described the response from the private sector as overwhelming and a demonstration of national solidarity with citizens who had lost businesses, investments, and livelihoods in South Africa .

Wider repatriation context

The evacuation formed part of the government’s response to renewed anti-foreigner violence in parts of South Africa, with Ghanaians among those reporting harassment, intimidation, attacks, and destruction of businesses and property . The Minister noted that between 2025 and September 2026, a total of 4,972 distressed Ghanaians have been safely repatriated home .

Mr Ablakwa commended Ibrahim Mahama for what he described as his commitment to the welfare of Ghanaians and his support for the evacuation programme . The Minister also expressed appreciation to other partners, including AirtelTigo, NADMO, the Ghana Red Cross Society, and the Ministry of Health for their contributions to the evacuation and reintegration process .

The government is now considering longer-term economic empowerment initiatives to help the returning nationals rebuild their livelihoods and fully reintegrate into their communities .