Third batch of Ghanaians evacuated from South Africa arrives in Accra
Ghana has been airlifting its citizens from South Africa following recent waves of xenophobic attacks, targeting mostly foreign African nationals
Black News 
The third batch of Ghanaian nationals evacuated from South Africa due to xenophobic attacks have arrived in Accra.
They were met by the Deputy Chief of Staff in charge of Administration, Nana Oye Bampoe Addo, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, James Gyakye Quayson (MP) and Deputy Director-General of the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO), Albert Akuka Alalzuuga.
There was also the Chief Executive Officer of the National Youth Authority (NYA), Osman Ayariga, Managing Director of Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL), Yvone Nana Afriyie Opare, the Group Executive, Finance of Ghana Airports Company Limited, Reverend Dr. John Okwesie Arthur, and other senior government officials.
Nana Oye Bampoe Addo assured the returning Ghanaians of their Government’s commitment to supporting their successful reintegration into society.
Ms Addo stated that a range of social intervention measures had been put in place to facilitate their resettlement, including employment and skills development opportunities through the National Apprenticeship Programme.
Nana assured the evacuees of Government’s support and stressed that comprehensive assistance packages had been put in place to support their transition and help them rebuild their lives in Ghana.
She noted that the National Youth Authority would facilitate the registration of interested evacuees under the National Apprenticeship Programme to provide employment and skills development opportunities.
Bampoe Addo further disclosed that the evacuees would be enrolled onto the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) and assisted to acquire Ghana Cards. She encouraged them to remain hopeful.
On his part, the Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, James Gyakye Quayson, encouraged them to remain optimistic about the future and expressed the hope that South Africa would strengthen its ties with the broader African community.
He said forgiveness is important for healing and urged them to focus on healing as they begin a new chapter in Ghana.
Gyakye encouraged them to take advantage of the opportunities available in the country and apply the same determination, resilience and entrepreneurial spirit they demonstrated abroad to their jobs in Ghana.
Assuring them of the Government’s readiness to support their reintegration, he mentioned that they had been registered in a database to facilitate access to assistance and opportunities.
He noted that various state institutions and private sector organizations were ready to support their resettlement and economic empowerment.
He emphasized the commitment of the government for the welfare of all Ghanaian nationals and stated that the diaspora is the ‘17th Region’ of Ghana and in addition acknowledged their significant contribution to national development.
He assured the evacuees of the Government’s continued commitment to protecting the interests of Ghanaians.
The evacuees thanked the Government for facilitating their evacuation to Ghana and pledged to work to contribute their quota to nation building.
