Hope Takes Flight as Ibrahim Mahama Funds Returnees

Businessman and philanthropist Ibrahim Mahama has stepped in to finance the return of another group of Repatriated Ghanaians from South Africa, providing critical support to the government’s ongoing voluntary evacuation exercise following recent xenophobic attacks targeting foreign nationals. The intervention comes as Ghana continues efforts to bring home citizens who opted to leave South Africa after a wave of anti-migrant violence forced thousands of African nationals to seek safety. The latest phase of the evacuation follows an earlier government-led operation that successfully airlifted 926 Ghanaians home aboard three chartered flights.

With the evacuation exercise placing significant pressure on public finances, Ibrahim Mahama, Chief Executive Officer of Engineers & Planners, volunteered to cover the cost of air tickets for the newest batch of returnees, easing the financial burden on the state and ensuring the continuation of the repatriation programme. To support their transition back into Ghanaian society, each returnee received a reintegration package comprising GH¢5,000 as financial assistance and GH¢500 for transportation, provided through the collaborative efforts of the Government and its partners.

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, commended Ibrahim Mahama for his timely intervention, describing the support as a significant contribution to Ghana’s humanitarian response. He also acknowledged the assistance of several institutions and organizations that partnered in the evacuation and reintegration exercise. Among the contributors were AT, which provided returnees with free SIM cards loaded with airtime and data to facilitate communication, the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), which supplied relief items, the Ghana Red Cross Society, and the Ministry of Health, all of which played various roles in supporting the affected citizens.

The Foreign Affairs Minister disclosed that the government will soon launch a dedicated consular fund through a public-private partnership to strengthen the country’s capacity to respond to emergency situations involving Ghanaians abroad. According to him, increasing consular demands have placed substantial financial strain on the Ministry, making sustained support from the private sector essential. He further appealed to businesses and corporate institutions to offer employment and livelihood opportunities to the returnees, emphasizing that successful reintegration extends beyond transportation and immediate financial assistance.

The evacuation exercise forms part of a broader regional response to the violence in South Africa, where anti-migrant groups have been accused of targeting foreign nationals in a series of attacks that sparked international concern and condemnation over alleged human rights violations. Ghana has since formally petitioned the African Union to place the matter on the agenda of the AU Mid-Year Coordination Meeting, seeking continental action on the recurring attacks. Separately, reports indicate that two private individuals have initiated proceedings before the International Criminal Court, seeking accountability for the violence. Meanwhile, Cyril Ramaphosa, South Africa’s President has expressed what he termed ‘regret’ over the deaths of foreign nationals during the unrest while maintaining that his government neither supports nor condones the actions of those responsible for the attacks.

The latest evacuation underscores Ghana’s commitment to protecting its citizens abroad while highlighting the growing role of public-private collaboration in responding to humanitarian crises. Ibrahim Mahama’s intervention has not only ensured the continuation of the repatriation exercise but has also renewed calls for greater corporate involvement in helping returnees rebuild their lives after displacement.

Source: Citi newsroom
Author: Joyce Owusu