Ghanaians still living in South Africa amid renewed xenophobic attacks are making a fresh appeal to the government to reopen its voluntary evacuation programme, saying worsening conditions have left many without jobs, businesses, or places to stay.
The renewed call comes days after the government concluded the evacuation exercise, with the final group of 41 Ghanaians arriving in Ghana on September 4.
The exercise brought the total number of returnees to 1,964.
But for those who remain behind, the end of the programme has not brought an end to their difficulties.
Some stranded Ghanaians say they are now facing increasing hardship and are appealing for another opportunity to return home under the government-supported exercise.
Among them is Margaret Amenuvegbe, who said she and several others had initially registered to be evacuated but did not proceed with the subsequent screening after reports emerged of overcrowding and inadequate accommodation at designated evacuation centres.
She said the reports raised concerns among some applicants and ultimately discouraged them from completing the process, despite their willingness to leave South Africa.
Ms. Amenuvegbe made the appeal in an interview on Accra-based Citi FM.
“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.
According to her, eight people in her immediate group, four adults and four children, are hoping to return to Ghana, while many other citizens are reportedly in similar situations.
Ms Amenuvegbe said she had spent 14 years in South Africa, where she worked as a hairdresser, but was forced to stop working following immigration-related challenges.
She said the situation has become even more precarious for Ghanaians without valid work permits, leaving many struggling to secure jobs and accommodation.
She therefore urged the government to reconsider its decision to end the evacuation programme and reopen the exercise to citizens who remain stranded and vulnerable.
For the affected Ghanaians, the request is not simply about leaving South Africa but finding a safe route home after years of building their lives there.
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