Ghanaian xenophobic victim in South Africa repatriated, says he was looking forward to gov't engagement to ascertain plans for his establishment
Emmanuel Asamoah, the Ghanaian national who was recently harassed in South Africa under xenophobic circumstances has been repatriated to Ghana as a precaution over growing fear for his safety due to tensed xenophobic climate in South Africa.
Emmanuel Asamoah arrived in Accra on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, from Johannesburg, accompanied by the Ghana High Commissioner to South Africa, Benjamin Quarshie.
Speaking at the airport, Asamoah expressed gratitude to the government for taking a keen interest in his safety, particularly, and said he was looking forward to engaging with Ghanaian authorities to ascertain the necessary plans they have for his establishment.
The Ghanaian government’s intervention to repatriate Asamoah followed a video shared on social media in which Asamoah was accosted by some South African nationals in April 2026, who demanded his documents, triggering public concern over the safety of Ghanaians living in South Africa and raising broader questions about the protection of African migrants there.
The decision to facilitate his return according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was to ensure his immediate safety while diplomatic engagements continued with South African authorities over the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Welcoming Asamoah at the airport in Accra on Tuesday, the Coordinating Director for Political and Economic Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), Harold Adlai Agyemang, said the relocation was carried out on the instructions of the Minister for Foreign Affairs to place him in a secure environment.
Diplomatic engagements
For his part, Ghana’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Benjamin Quarshie, said the Ministry, together with the Ghanaian mission in South Africa, had undertaken extensive diplomatic engagements, including negotiations with relevant authorities, to address the issue and ensure the protection of Ghanaian nationals.
He said while the situation in parts of South Africa remains fluid and not fully normalised, authorities there had acknowledged Ghana’s position, expressed regret over the incident and apologised, while also ensuring Mr Asamoah’s safe departure through smooth immigration processes.
Mr Quarshie further explained that the Ghanaian mission continued to monitor developments closely and maintains regular communication with local authorities, including security agencies and municipal officials, to receive updates on demonstrations and potential security risks.
