340 more Ghanaians evacuated from South Africa; Ghana to pursue compensation for their businesses in South Africa - Ablakwa
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has said Ghana was going to pursue compensation for Ghanaian evacuees from South Africa who lost businesses, shops and property.
He was speaking at the Accra International Airport on Saturday [June 6] night, when he welcomed the second batch of 340 Ghanaian evacuees, from South Africa.
The arrival of the 340 brings the total number of Ghanaians evacuated from South Africa as of now to 637, the minister said.
He said a little above 300 more was also set to arrive in Ghana.
The evacuees, who touched down in Accra at 9:00 pm on board a chartered Ethiopian Airline flight were received by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and his Deputy, James Gyakye Quayson.
Asset recovery
The Minister said the government would not abandon the returnees after losing assets built over decades.
“We are not going to sit back without any effort in attempting to secure compensation for those of you who have lost your properties, lost your assets, lost your businesses, your shops and what have you.
“We are putting together legal processes that we will activate to ensure that those properties you invested in… we are going to make sure we obtain compensation for you,” he said.
He urged the evacuees to provide all required documentation, including addresses and supporting documents for houses, schools and shops, to aid the case government is building.
Mr Ablakwa added that President John Dramani Mahama would petition the African Union at its next mid-year coordinating meeting to press for justice and compensation.
Jobs
On jobs, the Minister said about 200 employment opportunities had already been secured through Ghanaian Chief Executive Officers and entrepreneurs who responded to government’s call.
“I’m so impressed that already about 200 jobs have been secured for you. Leading the pack is Mr Ibrahim Mahama of Engineers and Planners; he has offered 100 jobs. AirtelTigo and Telecel, they have also reached out that they have some jobs to offer,” Mr. Ablakwa said.
He said the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), and other CEOs had pledged support to ensure the returnees were fully integrated.
Mr Ablakwa praised the evacuees for their resilience and contributions to the economy, stressing that diaspora remittances hit $7.8 billion last year, second only to gold exports.
The Minister commended the President and his vice Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, colleague ministers, NADMO, Ghana Health Service, Ghana Airport Company Limited, and International Organisation for Migration (IOM) for supporting the evacuation process.
He said the country’s swift action had inspired other African countries, with several foreign ministers consulting the Ghanaian government on its evacuation strategy.
