The Government of Ghana will begin the final phase of its voluntary repatriation exercise for approximately 900 Ghanaian nationals in South Africa from July 25, 2026, following months of xenophobic attacks and growing concerns over the safety and welfare of Ghanaians living in the country.

Ghana’s High Commissioner to South Africa, H.E. Benjamin Anani Quashie, has announced that the final phase of the government’s voluntary repatriation program will commence on July 25, 2026, bringing home about 900 Ghanaian nationals who have registered to return voluntarily.

The exercise follows months of escalating xenophobic attacks against foreign nationals in South Africa, which have left many Ghanaians fearing for their lives and seeking to return to their homeland.

Addressing the Ghanaian community in South Africa, High Commissioner Quashie confirmed that the government had approved additional support through the Office of the President and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to facilitate the return of those who had registered for the voluntary repatriation program.

“The Ministry has provided, through the Office of the President, support for us to do another repatriation of close to 900 Ghanaians who voluntarily want to return home,” he said.

Three phases already completed

The upcoming operation represents the fourth and final phase of Ghana’s mass repatriation programme. According to the High Commissioner, nearly 926 Ghanaians had already been evacuated under the previous three phases of the exercise.

“We have successfully brought home hundreds of our compatriots who were living in fear and uncertainty,” Quashie stated. “This final phase will complete the government’s planned repatriation program.”

The High Commissioner explained that the repatriation would follow the same procedures used during the previous phases. Officials from the High Commission would visit churches, hotels and other locations where registered Ghanaians are staying to coordinate the exercise.

The South African Department of Home Affairs and Border Management Authorities have approved July 25 as the start date for the operation.

“Flights will depart daily from July 25 until all registered returnees have been transported to Ghana,” Quashie confirmed. “The High Commission will also arrange transportation for those living in other provinces to join the flights.”

Strict procedures for registered beneficiaries

High Commissioner Quashie urged registered beneficiaries to wait for official notification before travelling to the High Commission in Pretoria. He cautioned against arriving without prior instructions, warning that accommodation would not be provided for those who report without being scheduled.

“We will notify each group before their departure. Please follow the procedures so that we can have a smooth repatriation exercise,” he said.

The High Commissioner also clarified that no new registrations would be accepted for the final exercise. Only Ghanaians who had already completed the registration and screening process would be included.

He appealed to those who had not registered to cooperate with the authorities and avoid attempting to join the exercise without approval, noting that the High Commission had worked closely with South African immigration authorities throughout the process.

End of mass repatriation program

Quashie confirmed that once the final group of about 900 people returns to Ghana, the mass repatriation program will end. Future requests for assistance to return home will be handled individually through the High Commission’s consular services.

“This marks the conclusion of our mass evacuation efforts,” he said. “Going forward, we will handle repatriation requests on a case-by-case basis through our normal consular channels.”

Government commitment to citizens’ safety

The High Commissioner expressed appreciation to President John Dramani Mahama and the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, for supporting the evacuation exercise and responding to the needs of Ghanaians affected by the attacks.

“The President and the Foreign Minister have demonstrated unwavering commitment to the welfare of Ghanaians abroad,” Quashie said. “This repatriation exercise reflects the government’s dedication to protecting its citizens wherever they may be.”

The repatriation comes amid heightened diplomatic tensions between Ghana and South Africa over the treatment of foreign nationals. In June 2026, Ghana raised concerns over the safety of its nationals following reports that a Ghanaian had died during anti-immigrant demonstrations on June 30. South African authorities subsequently rejected those claims, stating that investigations found no evidence that any deaths occurred during the protests.

The diplomatic exchanges have underscored the sensitivity of migration issues within the region and the challenges facing African nations in protecting their citizens living abroad.

Xenophobic attacks intensify

The mass repatriation follows months of intensified xenophobic violence across South Africa. The March and March Movement, an anti-immigrant group, has spearheaded nationwide demonstrations calling for the removal of undocumented migrants. The movement has organized weekly protests, which have repeatedly escalated into violence.

At least two people were killed in Mossel Bay during anti-immigrant protests, while five people have died since protests began in April. Thousands of migrants, both documented and undocumented, have been driven from their homes, with businesses and property vandalized.

The Department of Home Affairs has intensified security raids, resulting in the arrest of thousands of undocumented migrants. More than 45,000 foreigners have reportedly left South Africa in recent months, returning to countries including Malawi, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Ghana and Nigeria.

The situation took a darker turn when a March and March Movement leader, Andile Mvuyelwa Somgxada, was shot dead outside his home in Ekurhuleni on July 4, 2026. The movement claims several of its regional leaders have received death threats, though these claims have not been independently verified.

A nation divided

The immigration debate has deeply divided South African society. While the March and March Movement claims to represent the concerns of ordinary South Africans about undocumented migration, crime and strained public services, critics have accused the movement of fueling xenophobia and vigilantism.

The South African government has maintained that immigration laws must be enforced within the framework of the Constitution and the rule of law, while condemning attacks on foreign nationals.

Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi, who chairs the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Migration, has stated that law enforcement actions should not translate into vigilantism or xenophobic attacks against foreign nationals.

What happens next?

For the approximately 900 Ghanaians registered for the final repatriation, the coming weeks will be a period of transition. Many are leaving behind businesses, homes and communities they have built over years in South Africa. The High Commission has assured them of continued support throughout the process.

The Ghanaian government has not yet announced specific plans for the reintegration of returnees, but previous repatriation exercises have included support services to help returnees rebuild their lives in Ghana.

The High Commissioner assured the Ghanaian community that the High Commission would continue to provide updates to all registered beneficiaries until the exercise is completed.

“We remain committed to the safety and welfare of all Ghanaians in South Africa,” Quashie said. “This exercise is a testament to our government’s promise that no citizen will be left behind.”

Ghana’s six-year crude oil production collapse poses a direct and escalating threat to the nation’s electricity supply, the Institute for Energy Security (IES) has warned.

The warning comes as IES data shows crude oil output has crashed from 71.44 million barrels in 2019 to 37.30 million barrels in 2025—a decline of almost 48 percent.

With production concentrated in just three offshore fields—Jubilee, TEN and Sankofa Gye Nyame—the associated gas that fuels a significant portion of Ghana’s thermal power generation is also dwindling.

IES warned that the sustained production decline has implications far beyond the upstream petroleum sector. Falling crude production threatens domestic gas supplies used for thermal power generation, increasing Ghana’s dependence on imported fuels and exposing the economy to exchange rate volatility and global energy price shocks.

The Africa Sustainable Energy Centre (ASEC) has separately cautioned that Ghana remains particularly exposed because of its heavy reliance on imported refined petroleum products.

“Energy security is about supply, affordability and resilience and right now, all three are under threat,” an ASEC statement warned.

Ghana already imports over 98 percent of its fuel due to non-functional domestic refineries, according to IES Executive Director Nana Amoasi VIII. The declining domestic gas supply will only deepen this import dependency, with profound consequences for the country’s balance of payments and the cedi’s exchange rate.

The energy security threat is compounded by financial distress across the state-owned energy sector. IES reported that revenues to the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) declined by more than 61 percent, compounded by a policy decision that reduced GNPC’s share of petroleum revenues from 30 percent to 15 percent. Meanwhile, the Public Interest and Accountability Committee (PIAC) has highlighted rising cash-call obligations on the TEN field.

PIAC’s 2025 Annual Report also revealed that the Ghana National Gas Company Limited (GNGLC) carries a debt burden exceeding US$620 million, with PIAC cautioning that the high debt exposure, coupled with persistent inefficiencies in pricing and revenue collection, poses a systemic risk to the entire energy value chain.

The implications for ordinary Ghanaians are severe. Reduced domestic gas supply means thermal power plants may increasingly rely on expensive crude oil and imported natural gas, driving up the cost of electricity generation. These costs are inevitably passed on to consumers through higher tariffs, while the risk of load-shedding—the dreaded “dumsor”—looms if fuel supplies become critically low.

IES previously warned that Ghana was on the brink of a power crisis, urging the government to take immediate action to secure fuel supplies and stabilize the power sector. The situation has not improved, with the prolonged oil production decline adding to existing pressures.

The Energy Minister has acknowledged the severity of the challenge, revealing in November 2025 that Ghana’s oil sector had witnessed a sharp decline. However, critics argue that the government’s response has been insufficient given the scale of the threat.

IES is now urging the government to accelerate implementation of the planned drilling programme and resume the negotiation and signing of new petroleum agreements through transparent and competitive licensing rounds.

Without these interventions, the energy security threat will only intensify, with potentially devastating consequences for Ghana’s industrial base and household welfare

Based on the front pages of Ghanaian newspapers dated Wednesday, July 15, 2026, here are the top 10 headline stories that dominated the news.

1. Mahama’s Third-Term Agenda Sparks Flagstaff House Cracks

Papers: The Informer, The Source, The Custodian

President Mahama’s alleged third-term bid has reportedly caused divisions within the presidency, with sources suggesting internal disagreements over the agenda.

2. Dennis Miracles Aboagye Arrest: EOCO Under Fire

Papers: The Daily Searchlight, The Custodian, The Ghanaian Times, Daily Guide

The Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO) faces mounting criticism over its arrest of Dennis Miracles Aboagye over alleged GHc55 million public funds diversion. The Minority in Parliament is demanding the Attorney-General brief Parliament on the matter. Critics have accused EOCO of “Rambo-style” arrests and “cruel, oppressive” bail conditions, with some describing the approach as a threat to democracy. Afenyo-Markin has condemned the arrest as “trial by public tactics”.

3. Paul Afoko Launches NPP National Chairmanship Bid on Unity Ticket

Papers: The Daily Searchlight, The Custodian, The Ghanaian Publisher, Daily Analyst, Daily Guide,

Paul Afoko has officially declared his bid for the NPP National Chairmanship, promising to reunite, rebuild and recapture power for the party in 2028. Under his “3Rs” agenda—Reunite, Rebuild, Recapture—Afoko is rallying disgruntled party members and calling on all factions to return to the fold. He warned that infighting, not one man, is NPP’s greatest enemy.

4. Supreme Court Halts Restoration of GN Savings & Loans Licence

Papers: Supreme, The Metro Lens, The Daily Analyst, The Ghanaian Times, Daily Guide

The Supreme Court has temporarily halted the restoration of GN Savings & Loans’ license, pending an appeal by the Bank of Ghana. This comes after an initial court ruling had ordered the reinstatement of the licence. Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom’s company continues its legal battle with the central bank.

5. Bank of Ghana Revokes Zeepay’s E-Money Licence

Papers: Supreme, The Daily Analyst, The Ghanaian Times

The Bank of Ghana has revoked the e-money license of Zeepay over regulatory breaches. The decision has sent shockwaves through the fintech sector, with industry players questioning the central bank’s regulatory approach and its impact on financial inclusion.

6. GoldBod Injects GHc8.4 Million to Rescue Galamsey-Hit Water Plants

Papers: The Metro Lens, The Ghanaian Publisher, The Custodian, Daily Guide, Daily Analyst, Hide Nothing Fear Nothing

The Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) has committed GHc8.4 million to rehabilitate three water supply systems in Bonsa, Daboase, and Sekyere that have been devastated by galamsey (illegal mining) activities. The intervention aims to restore clean water access to communities affected by mining pollution.

7. Ghana’s Crude Oil Production Declines for 6th Consecutive Year – IES

Papers: Daily Analyst, The Daily Searchlight

The Institute for Energy Security (IES) has released a damning report revealing that Ghana’s crude oil production has declined for six consecutive years, costing the nation billions in lost revenue. The report describes the downturn as a “structural crisis” driven by ageing fields and lack of new investment.

8. Government’s National Clean-Up Exercise Continues

Papers: Truth Stands, The Source

The nationwide clean-up exercise, spearheaded by the government, Zoomlion, and various municipal assemblies, continues to draw attention. Gomoa East DCE led the exercise in his district, while the government announced plans to build 24-hour markets nationwide.

9. South Africa Xenophobic Attacks: 900 Ghanaians Coming Home

Papers: The Daily Searchlight

Following xenophobic attacks in South Africa, approximately 900 Ghanaian citizens are being repatriated. The development has intensified diplomatic tensions and renewed calls for stronger protection of Ghanaians abroad.

10. Raw Rubber Export Ban Boosts Local Processing

Papers: Daily Graphic, The Ghanaian Times

The government’s ban on raw rubber exports has significantly boosted purchases by local processors, with Rubber Processors Association of Ghana (RUPAG) recording a record 3,131 tons of raw rubber purchases in the past month. However, RUPAG has rejected proposals for an export quota, insisting that local processing capacity far exceeds current production.

Also making headlines:

• Finance Minister Ato Forson to present 2026 Mid-Year Budget on July 23
• Minority demands AG briefing over Miracles Aboagye arrest
• NPP warns NDC appointees: “2028 will change everything”
• Government to build 24-hour markets nationwide
• Poultry Farmers Association angry with government over “Nkoko Nkitinkiti” program