Government has announced a GH¢5,500 support package for each Ghanaian evacuated from South Africa as part of efforts to ensure their dignified return and reintegration.

Addressing a press conference at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Accra, Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa said the package comprises a GH¢5,000 reintegration grant and a GH¢500 travel and transport allowance, in addition to relief items from the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) and free National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) registration.

Mr Ablakwa said government would provide a full account of the evacuation exercise after its completion, adding that corporate bodies and philanthropic Ghanaians, including businessman Ibrahim Mahama, had contributed to the exercise alongside government.

The minister said the two phases of the evacuation would cover nearly 2,000 Ghanaians, with 926 returning in the first phase and an estimated 1,000 expected in the second.

He said government was also rolling out reintegration programmes, including jobs, skills training and entrepreneurship support.

According to Mr Ablakwa, all returnees will be enrolled in a special national database to connect them with employment opportunities, entrepreneurship support, skills development and start-up initiatives.

He said about 200 jobs had already been secured through partnerships with the private sector, with Engineers and Planners Limited committing 100 positions, while Telecel Ghana, AirtelTigo and other companies had also offered opportunities.

"Government believes strongly that no Ghanaian returning home under distressing circumstances should feel abandoned or excluded from national support systems," the minister stated.

Mr Ablakwa added that social workers would conduct follow-up visits to returnees for six months to support their mental health, while a dedicated helpline had been established. Government also plans a public awareness campaign to combat the stigmatisation of returnees.

The minister further disclosed that government was establishing a register of claims to pursue legal and diplomatic processes for compensation for returnees who lost businesses and property during the xenophobic attacks.

On the diplomatic front, Mr Ablakwa said Ghana had petitioned the African Union to urgently address recurring xenophobic attacks against Ghanaians and other African nationals.

"Ghana believes that the best way to address this matter is not to look away and pretend nothing serious is happening, but to bring it into the open and have an honest discussion on this concern and how best to address it," he stated.

He said although the Eighth AU Mid-Year Coordination Meeting was postponed, Ghana had maintained the petition and secured ECOWAS Heads of State endorsement to pursue the matter at the next AU meeting.

Mr Ablakwa stressed that the petition was "not intended to single out South Africa, but to encourage a collective continental response" to protect the rights and dignity of African citizens.