Ghanaian nationals seeking to return home from South Africa continued their journey this week as a chartered flight from OR Tambo International Airport in Kempton Park prepared to transport approximately 300 passengers to Accra. The repatriation effort, coordinated as a voluntary program by Ghanaian authorities, responds to increased interest from citizens wishing to leave South Africa amid heightened public debate over migration policies.
Operational hurdles marked the departure process. Though the flight was scheduled to take off around 7:20 with an expected midday arrival in Accra, airport information boards listed the departure as indefinitely postponed. Sources indicated the aircraft would likely depart roughly three hours behind schedule, disrupting the planned arrival timeline.
Capacity constraints also affected boarding. While more than 300 Ghanaian travelers arrived at the airport for the scheduled service, the chartered aircraft could only accommodate a limited number. Officials confirmed that fewer than 15 individuals were unable to board and were transported back to the Ghanaian embassy to continue administrative processing. Most passenger documentation had been verified during pre-departure registration, though final checks remained in progress inside the terminal.
South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, publicly responded to recent media coverage he said contained significant factual errors. Addressing claims made in a Ghanaian media interview, Minister Lamola provided three key clarifications:
- Assertions that close to 80% of previously returned Ghanaians held lawful status in South Africa were incorrect, a position already conveyed to Ghana’s High Commissioner.
- Reports alleging two Nigerian nationals were killed during recent xenophobic incidents were found to be false after consultation with South African police and government agencies.
- Claims that five Mozambican citizens died in the same period were revised: at least two Mozambican nationals were confirmed killed, with the South African Police Service following active leads toward possible arrests.
Minister Lamola reiterated that South Africa’s Constitution—and specifically its Bill of Rights—remains the foundational legal instrument shaping national policy, including safeguards against unlawful discrimination. He stressed that any violent acts must be handled through formal judicial processes.
Broader diplomatic efforts are also underway. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced plans to send special envoys to nations across Africa and beyond to promote structured dialogue on migration management. During a recent briefing with Kenyan President William Ruto, Ramaphosa emphasized the need for international cooperation to address cross-border mobility challenges. Simultaneously, South African authorities are preparing a white paper to comprehensively assess and update the country’s migration framework.
Ongoing ministerial consultations between Ronald Lamola and Ghana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs have continued, though both sides acknowledge complex dimensions to the discussions. Public conversation has been further shaped by social media content, including widely shared video clips addressing migration-related topics between the two countries.
While more than 1,000 Ghanaian residents in South Africa have indicated a desire to return home, flight logistics have limited each repatriation service to roughly 300 passengers. Operations conducted on Saturday, Sunday, and the current day have each facilitated approximately 300 departures. Officials are reviewing expressed interest against actual transport capacity and may revise the originally proposed three-flight arrangement as coordination continues.
The voluntary return initiative remains active as Ghana and South Africa work to align humanitarian support, diplomatic communication, and practical logistics in managing regional migration movements.