Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has announced that the government is pursuing long-term economic empowerment for Ghanaians evacuated from South Africa, disclosing that all evacuees have been enrolled in a special national database designed to connect them to employment, entrepreneurship support, skills development and start-up opportunities.
Hon Ablakwa’s announcement extends the government’s response to the South Africa evacuation beyond the immediate welfare support already provided to returnees, positioning the database as a mechanism for sustained reintegration rather than a one-time gesture tied to the crisis itself.
The North Tongu MP said the database will connect evacuees to opportunities developed in collaboration with relevant ministries, departments and agencies, as well as private sector partners.
That structure suggests the initiative is designed to draw on resources and programmes already operating across government rather than requiring an entirely new delivery mechanism built from scratch. He framed the initiative around a broader principle of national inclusion.
“The government believes strongly that no Ghanaian returning home under distressing circumstances should feel abandoned or excluded from national support systems,” he said, tying the database directly to the government’s stated commitment to protecting the dignity, welfare and prospects of every Ghanaian citizen regardless of where they find themselves in the world.
An Evacuation Without Discrimination
Hon Ablakwa was emphatic that the entire evacuation exercise, and by extension the empowerment support now following it, was carried out without any form of bias. “Let me emphasise that the evacuation was voluntary, impartial, and nationalistic,” he said. “It was absolutely devoid of any form of discrimination.”
That framing positions the economic empowerment programme as a natural continuation of an evacuation exercise the government has consistently described as extended equally to all Ghanaians who registered for assistance, regardless of background or circumstance.
Hon Ablakwa used the occasion to thank the range of institutions that supported the evacuation exercise, whose continued cooperation will likely matter to how effectively the reintegration database functions in practice.
He named the International Organization for Migration, Telecel Ghana, AirtelTigo, the Ghana Immigration Service, the National Health Insurance Authority, the Ghana Armed Forces, the Ghana Police Service, the Ghana Red Cross, Asky Airlines, Air Tanzania, Egypt Air, Ethiopian Airlines and the Ghanaian media among the stakeholders whose support made the evacuation possible.
He extended particular appreciation to colleagues at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ghana’s High Commission in Pretoria, led by Ambassador Benjamin Kwashie, describing their contributions and sacrifices as tremendous.
He also conveyed special gratitude to President John Mahama, crediting him with inspirational leadership, compassion and an unwavering commitment to the welfare and dignity of Ghanaian citizens.
A Message of National Solidarity
Hon Ablakwa framed the entire evacuation and reintegration effort as a demonstration of collective national resolve rather than a government initiative alone. He commended Ghanaians for their solidarity in defending the rights of compatriots caught in the xenophobic attacks, arguing that the response illustrated what the country can achieve when united.
“We have demonstrated that we can achieve so much when we come together and when we are united. Our creed is not in doubt. You touch one, you touch all. Team Ghana is the winner in this entire evacuation exercise.”
Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa
Reiterating a Standing Commitment
Hon Ablakwa closed his remarks on the empowerment initiative by reiterating a broader government commitment extending beyond this single crisis.
“I wish to take this opportunity to reiterate the commitment of the government of Ghana to protect the lives and welfare of its citizens wherever they may be. We will continue to offer timely and decisive support whenever the safety and security of Ghanaians abroad are at stake.”
Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa
He also committed the Ministry to continued transparency in its dealings with the media going forward, saying the Ministry remains committed to maintaining an open and constructive relationship with journalists.
“I assure you that the ministry remains committed to maintaining an open and constructive relationship with the media and will continue to provide timely, transparent, and accurate information in the interests of good governance and accountability”.
Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa
Hon Ablakwa’s statement did not disclose specific timelines for when returnees might begin accessing the employment, entrepreneurship or skills programmes referenced, nor did it name the particular ministries, departments, agencies or private sector partners expected to deliver those opportunities.
Those operational details will likely determine how quickly the database translates registration into tangible outcomes for the nearly 2,000 Ghanaians who returned home under the evacuation programme.
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