Hundreds of Ghanaian nationals living in South Africa have begun registering for voluntary evacuation flights back to Ghana amid growing fears linked to rising anti-migrant protests across several provinces.

Reports indicate that many families, workers, and students gathered outside the Ghanaian Embassy in Pretoria to undergo screening and verification ahead of planned departures.

Ghana’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Benjamin Quashie, confirmed that 826 citizens have already signed up to return home, with the first group of around 300 people expected to leave on Wednesday.

The evacuation process has been prompted by increasing tensions associated with protests led by the group March and March, which has reportedly demanded that foreign nationals leave South Africa by the end of June.

These demonstrations have taken place across Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, and the Eastern Cape, contributing to what officials describe as an atmosphere of fear and intimidation among migrant communities.

Quashie stated that many Ghanaians no longer feel safe, describing the situation as linked to xenophobic behaviour and warning that some individuals are taking the law into their own hands.He emphasised that while more than 16,000 Ghanaians reside in South Africa, the majority are legally documented and comply with local laws.However, the broader hostile environment has left many anxious about their safety and future in the country.Despite the concerns, Ghanaian officials indicated that the situation is not expected to damage diplomatic relations between Ghana and South Africa.They stressed that the evacuation is voluntary and aimed at protecting those who feel vulnerable, rather than a full-scale diplomatic withdrawal.Authorities also noted fears that the current climate could escalate into violence similar to previous xenophobic incidents in South Africa.For now, many affected families are choosing to return to Ghana as a precaution while monitoring developments closely.