Ghanaian President John Mahama has approved the immediate evacuation of 300 Ghanaian nationals from South Africa following a fresh wave of xenophobic attacks targeting foreign nationals and businesses.

According to a report by Punch Newspapers, Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, announced the decision in a statement shared on X on Tuesday.

Ablakwa said the affected citizens had complied with an earlier advisory issued by the Foreign Ministry and registered with the Ghana High Commission in Pretoria for evacuation support.

He wrote, “His Excellency John Mahama has granted presidential approval for the immediate evacuation of 300 Ghanaians in South Africa.

“These distressed Ghanaians had earlier complied with the Foreign Ministry’s advisory and registered with our High Commission in Pretoria to be rescued following the latest wave of xenophobic attacks.”

The minister added that the Ghanaian government remained committed to protecting its citizens both within the country and abroad.

The latest unrest comes amid reports of harassment and attacks on foreign-owned businesses in parts of KwaZulu-Natal and Durban.

Nigeria has also begun measures to assist its citizens affected by the violence. Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, recently announced a voluntary repatriation programme for Nigerians willing to return home from South Africa.

More than 130 Nigerians have reportedly registered with Nigerian missions in South Africa for evacuation assistance, with officials expecting the figure to increase. President Bola Tinubu has also directed the establishment of crisis notification centres to support distressed Nigerians abroad.