Pretoria, Gauteng – Hundreds of Ghanaian nationals have begun registering at the Ghana High Commission in Pretoria for voluntary repatriation to Ghana, citing fear for their safety due to ongoing anti-immigrant marches and threats in South Africa.
The first group of approximately 300 Ghanaians is scheduled to depart on Wednesday following security screening and registration. Ghana High Commissioner Benjamin Kasi confirmed that around 800 nationals have so far expressed willingness to return home, with subsequent flights planned to carry groups of 300 each.
Speaking at the High Commission, High Commissioner Benjamin Kasi said the individuals are leaving voluntarily because “their lives have come to a standstill. They don’t feel safe. They don’t feel happy.” He noted that some have been physically attacked, with roughly 10 to 20 cases documented.
“Most of them feel that their time here is done because they believe that they are here to work genuinely to help the country and also to help themselves,” Kasi stated. “If that purpose is defeated, then they don’t know the reason why they should continue to be in this country.”
Kasi emphasized that Ghana does not support illegal immigration and has engaged South African authorities on the matter. However, he criticized the approach taken by some demonstrators, who he said have taken the law into their own hands and disregarded official statements, including one from President Cyril Ramaphosa condemning the unrest. Demonstrators have reportedly issued a June 30 deadline for undocumented migrants to leave.
“We know that illegal migration has always been a challenge,” Kasi said. “How we solve it proactively is what the difference is… It is not right in the community of nations especially in the AU [African Union] model that we’ll be doing these sort of things to one another as Africans.”
The High Commissioner expressed concern over inflammatory rhetoric, including insults directed at Ghanaian leaders, and appealed for diplomatic solutions while warning against escalation. He described the situation as a setback to the Pan-African dream of unity and borderless cooperation, while stressing the need for proper regulation of migration rather than vigilante actions.
Some of those registering for repatriation are documented migrants. One Ghanaian man, who arrived in 2024 on a visit and later obtained a work permit through an asylum process, told reporters he had been physically attacked multiple times and faced ongoing threats. He said the atmosphere in his area had become frightening, prompting him to seek safety at the embassy.
“I decided to join them because of xenophobia attacks,” he said, adding that he looks forward to restarting life in Ghana, “the place we are born and Ghana is my first country.”
Another national called for African unity, stating that the current actions are “separating themselves from Africa” and warning of divine punishment for division.
The repatriation comes against a backdrop of repeated anti-immigrant protests in parts of South Africa, where demonstrators accuse undocumented foreigners of taking jobs, straining public services, and contributing to crime. While the marches officially target only undocumented migrants, many documented foreigners, including Ghanaians, report feeling unsafe due to the general climate of threats. Similar tensions in 2008 led to widespread xenophobic violence that killed dozens.
Officials from Ghana’s Home Affairs are assisting with the screening process. Departures are expected to begin at 6:00 a.m. on Wednesday.