The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, says the government’s swift evacuation of Ghanaians who felt unsafe in South Africa amid xenophobic attacks reflects the country’s commitment to protecting its citizens wherever they may be.
He said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs takes its consular responsibilities seriously and is guided by the principle that an attack on one Ghanaian anywhere in the world is an attack on all.
Mr Ablakwa made the remarks during an interview on TV3 on Saturday, October 10, 2026.
He noted that although South Africa had experienced several waves of xenophobic attacks, the recent response marked the first time the Ghanaian government had acted so swiftly to evacuate its citizens from the country.
“There have been many waves of these xenophobic attacks, but this was the first time that the government of Ghana had acted so swiftly to take our citizens out of harm’s way,” he said.
According to the Minister, the evacuation targeted Ghanaians who felt unsafe, had come under attack or had fled their places of residence, including some who sought refuge at Ghana’s diplomatic mission and a Church of Pentecost facility.
He said the government ensured that all Ghanaians who voluntarily registered for the evacuation were safely brought back home.
Mr Ablakwa added that Ghana was the first country to evacuate its citizens in response to the situation, stressing that the exercise formed part of the government’s duty to safeguard Ghanaians abroad.
“We take our consular responsibilities very seriously, and our motto at the Ministry when it comes to these matters is that ‘when you touch one Ghanaian, you touch all of us’,” he said.
“Any attack on a Ghanaian anywhere in the world is an attack on all of us, and we will immediately mobilise and get our citizens out of harm’s way,” he added.
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