• Ghana repatriates first group of 300 citizens from South Africa amid anti-immigrant tensions.
• The voluntary repatriation program follows recent violence and protests against undocumented migrants in South Africa.
• Over 800 Ghanaians registered for evacuation due to fears for their safety.
• Ghana's officials emphasize the need to maintain diplomatic ties despite the situation.
• South African authorities condemn violence against foreign nationals during the protests.

Ghana has begun a voluntary repatriation program for its citizens in South Africa, with the first group of approximately 300 nationals departing from OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg. This move comes amid escalating tensions and anti-immigrant protests in South Africa, where frustrations over unemployment and crime have intensified, leading to fears among foreign nationals for their safety, according to africanews, latimes, and aljazeera.

The repatriation effort was facilitated by cooperation between the Ghanaian government and South African officials, with 800 Ghanaians registered for evacuation due to the rising xenophobic sentiments. Ghana's High Commissioner to South Africa, Benjamin Quashie, noted that many individuals who had not initially registered were also eager to leave, underscoring the urgency of the situation. "This is a symbolic move to try to send a message to [South Africa] that this is politically unacceptable," stated migration expert Loren Landau, according to africanews and latimes.

In recent weeks, anti-immigrant protests have seen demonstrators demanding stricter immigration controls, leading to harassment, job losses, and violence against migrants, including Ghanaians. One returnee expressed relief at being able to return home, stating, “It’s not easy to be in someone else’s country and be disturbed all the time.” Ghana's government, led by Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has reassured its citizens abroad that they will be protected, reflecting on the distressing circumstances faced under escalating xenophobia, according to aljazeera.

While Ghana's officials have begun the evacuation, they are also seeking to preserve diplomatic ties with South Africa. Quashie criticized the South African immigration authorities for causing delays in processing applications for residence. South African officials have condemned the violence against foreign nationals, stating that such acts do not align with the country's democratic values, according to africanews, latimes, and aljazeera.