The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has debunked reports circulating on social media regarding an alleged no-show at the O.R. Tambo International Airport in South Africa following plans by the government to evacuate Ghanaians affected by recent xenophobic attacks.

Earlier on May 21, 2026, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that it had postponed the planned evacuation exercise due to what it described as an increase in the number of Ghanaians who had registered with Ghana’s High Commission in Pretoria to return home.

Following the announcement, reports emerged on social media claiming that out of the individuals who initially registered for the evacuation, only one person showed up at the airport.

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However, in a post shared on X on May 21, 2026, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa explained the reasons behind the postponement and dismissed claims that the evacuation exercise had failed.

According to the minister, Ghana’s High Commission in Pretoria has so far received registrations from about 800 Ghanaians who are willing to return home.

Addressing reports that only one individual, identified as Sylvester Boakye, appeared at the airport for the evacuation, Ablakwa explained that the young man missed the latest update regarding the rescheduling of the exercise.

He further clarified that the Government of Ghana did not send a chartered flight to South Africa, contrary to reports suggesting that only one person showed up for the evacuation.

Evacuation of Ghanaians in South Africa postponed

“Sylvester Boakye was not airlifted to Ghana, as there was no chartered flight sent by the Government of Ghana due to an agreement with South African authorities to defer the evacuation pending the resolution of legal, technical, and logistical matters. Truth stands, and truth always wins,” he stated.

The Foreign Affairs Minister also assured Sylvester Boakye that he would not be left behind when the new evacuation date is announced.

“The young Ghanaian, Sylvester Boakye, can be assured that he will not be left out of the planned evacuation expected to cover some 800 people. No Ghanaian who desires to return home will be left behind,” he added.

Read the full post below:

I commend Ghana’s hardworking High Commissioner to South Africa, H.E. Benjamin Quarshie for locating the young Ghanaian who missed out on our updated evacuation notice and was the only Ghanaian to report at the O.R. Tambo Airport yesterday.

The young Ghanaian by name Sylvester… pic.twitter.com/0pX5xcsIAH

— Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa (@S_OkudzetoAblak) May 21, 2026