‘Some cannot afford to come home’ – Evacuees’ leader urges continued repatriation

The leader of the Aggrieved South Africa Evacuees, Michael Addo, has called for continued government support in repatriating Ghanaians stranded abroad, stressing that many citizens in South Africa and other countries are desperate to return home.

According to him, several Ghanaians remain stranded overseas, with some unable to finance their return journeys despite their willingness to come back to Ghana.

“We should rather encourage the government to continue with the repatriation because we still have individuals who are stranded not only in South Africa but in other countries who are willing to come home,” he stated.

His appeal comes amid public scrutiny of the government's reported GH¢49.72 million expenditure on the evacuation of 1,964 Ghanaians from South Africa.

Mr Addo explained that the desire of stranded Ghanaians to return home is not motivated by the financial reintegration packages offered to returnees, but by the hardships they continue to endure abroad.

“Not because of the reintegration package, but because they are tired. Some do not even have the funds to come home,” he emphasised.

He maintained that the ongoing controversy surrounding the evacuation exercise should not discourage the government from extending assistance to other vulnerable Ghanaians seeking to return.

Mr Addo consequently urged the public to support further repatriation efforts, stressing the importance of prioritising the welfare of stranded citizens while discussions over the cost of the exercise continue.