By: Manoah Kikekon
Ghana's government has restated its pledge to help resettle citizens evacuated from South Africa following outbreaks of xenophobic violence there.
Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa made the assurance last Friday as he joined other officials in receiving the final group of 41 returning Ghanaians. He told the group that government support toward their resettlement would continue.
According to Ablakwa, officials will go through each evacuee's information to determine suitable forms of assistance and other support measures.
He also urged the returnees to engage with the program, noting that it would open doors for citizens to contribute to the country's broader development goals.
Ghana has now brought home close to 1,900 nationals from South Africa since May, as tensions tied to xenophobic violence have continued there.
Officials say the resettlement package covers several forms of aid: cash assistance, travel allowances, healthcare, mental health support, complimentary enrollment in the national health insurance scheme, and help securing employment going forward.
The wave of xenophobic violence that broke out in South Africa earlier in the year brought intimidation, physical attacks, harassment, property destruction, and forced displacement targeting foreign nationals. Citizens from several African countries were affected, including those from Nigeria, Malawi, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe.