The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is to establish a Ghanaian Diaspora Consular Fund to finance emergency assistance for Ghanaians in distress abroad.
The report indicates that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is to establish a Ghanaian Diaspora Consular Fund to finance emergency assistance for Ghanaians in distress abroad.
It further notes that the Fund is intended to provide dedicated and sustainable resources for urgent evacuations, repatriations and other consular interventions involving Ghanaian nationals outside the country.
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Minister of Foreign Affairs, announced this in Accra on Monday at a media briefing on the conclusion of the evacuation of Ghanaian nationals from South Africa.
He stated the Fund would enable the Government to mobilise resources swiftly to safeguard the rights, dignity and welfare of Ghanaians facing emergencies anywhere in the world.
The announcement follows the evacuation of 1,964 Ghanaians from South Africa amid a resurgence of xenophobic attacks and intimidation against African nationals.
Mr Ablakwa stated recurring emergencies requiring the repatriation of Ghanaians from different parts of the world had placed significant financial and logistical demands on the Government and its diplomatic missions.
He stated the experience had demonstrated the need for a dedicated mechanism to finance emergency interventions without relying solely on ad hoc arrangements.
“Precisely why it has become imperative to establish the Ghanaian Diaspora Consular Fund,” he said.
The Minister stated the Fund would “afford us a dedicated and sustainable emergency funding mechanism to ensure that Ghana can promptly mobilise resources to safeguard the rights, dignity and welfare of our citizens.”
He stated the decision was informed not only by the South Africa evacuation but also by several repatriation exercises undertaken since 2025 to assist Ghanaians in distress in various countries.
Mr Ablakwa stated 4,972 Ghanaians had been repatriated to Ghana between 2025 and September 2026 through interventions by the Ministry, its diplomatic missions and international partners.
He stated the figure comprised 3,807 Ghanaians from Libya; 440 from Côte d’Ivoire who were victims of QNET activities and a demolition exercise; 246 from Nigeria who were also victims of QNET activities; 244 from Cambodia; and 201 from Algeria.
The remaining returnees were 18 from Kuwait, eight from Sierra Leone, five from Mauritius, two from Morocco and one from Iraq.
Mr Ablakwa stated the repeated operations underscored the financial and logistical demands associated with responding to unforeseen emergencies involving Ghanaians abroad.
