A flight carrying 300 Ghanaians, repatriated from South Africa amid fears of a resurgence of xenophobic violence, has landed in Ghana's capital city, Accra. The Ghanaian government chartered the flight from Johannesburg following a wave of protests against illegal immigration in South Africa. Further departures are expected in the coming days, with roughly 800 Ghanaians having registered for repatriation.
Official Welcome at Kotoka International Airport
Ghana's foreign minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, joined other officials at Kotoka International Airport in Accra on Wednesday to welcome the first set of arrivals. A total of 297 Ghanaian citizens arrived on Wednesday, according to Ghana's High Commissioner in South Africa, Benjamin Quashie. He added that a mother and her two children were not permitted to leave as she did not have the children's birth certificates.
Passengers' Reluctance to Speak
Few of the departing passengers wanted to speak to journalists in Johannesburg. However, Rudolph, who has lived in South Africa for 10 years and runs a salon, told the BBC he was leaving because of the recent protests. The repatriation comes amid heightened tensions over illegal immigration in South Africa, which has sparked concerns of xenophobic attacks.
