Ghana’s High Commission in South Africa has announced a temporary halt to registration for its ongoing voluntary evacuation initiative, citing the need to process and verify a substantial number of applications already received.
In a statement released on June 1, the mission indicated that the suspension will commence on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, and aims to provide the High Commission and the relevant Home Affairs authorities the opportunity to screen the applications submitted under the programme.
As per the statement, over 1,500 Ghanaians residing in South Africa have registered for the initiative thus far, with verification and processing currently in progress.
“The temporary suspension is to enable the High Commission and the Home Affairs to process and screen the large number of applications already received,” the mission stated.
The High Commission emphasized that the evacuation initiative is not yet complete and reassured Ghanaians who have yet to register that another registration phase will be announced once the current applications are processed.
“The date for the next phase of new registration will be communicated in due course,” the statement noted, adding that “the repatriation exercise has not yet ended.”
The mission expressed gratitude to the Ghanaian community in South Africa for their cooperation, patience, and understanding throughout the process, describing these qualities as vital for ensuring a well-coordinated exercise.
This announcement arises amid efforts by Ghanaian authorities to manage the increasing interest in the voluntary repatriation programme and to ensure that applications are thoroughly evaluated before the next registration phase commences.
