The Ghana High Commission in South Africa has released passport details and corrected dates of birth for 15 Ghanaians repatriated from the country following discrepancies in records that reportedly suggested some beneficiaries of the evacuation exercise were yet to be born.

In a press statement responding to a JoyNews data analysis programme, the High Commission said the dates interpreted as dates of birth were in fact, passport expiry dates.

It acknowledged clerical errors in the transcription of passport details by its officials but maintained that the errors did not invalidate the identities of the evacuees, their participation in the exercise or their receipt of approved reintegration and transportation allowances.

The Commission said the errors affected only 15 individuals out of the 1,900 Ghanaians evacuated from South Africa.

It explained that such clerical errors could occur during emergency and traumatic circumstances involving the sudden evacuation of thousands of distressed Ghanaians.

The High Commission, however, stressed that all evacuees underwent the required identification, data-processing and departure formalities before being evacuated.

In an effort to clarify the discrepancies, it released the corrected dates of birth and passport expiry dates of the 15 individuals.

The individuals named in the statement include James Alkoto Batfour, a footballer born on December 25, 2009, whose passport expires on May 11, 2036; Precious Sekywaa, a hairdresser born on May 2, 1982, whose passport expires on October 8, 2034; and Pháp Odurs, a security worker born on April 12, 1994, whose passport expires on May 16, 2034.

Others are Dj Victoria Edah, born on March 11, 1990; Prince Obeng Boateng, born on July 13, 2007; Ebenezar Losu, a barber born on July 13, 1996; and Akua Brihin, born on March 2, 1982.

The list also includes Philimon Opoku Nsiah, a footballer born on June 18, 2010; Rebecca Agyiwna Opoku, a hairdresser born on June 16, 1986; Emmanuel Ampomah, a barber born on July 20, 1980; Rose Pokus, born on June 28, 1984; Thomas Nkrumah, born on December 31, 1990; Rita Acoueh, born on March 22, 1988; Rashid Abubakar, born on March 19, 1988; and David Botwey, born on April 24, 1989.

The High Commission also clarified the travel arrangements for the Jibril family, comprising six people, including a mother and her five children.

According to the statement, the family travelled on Emergency Travel Certificates, as reflected in an amended list submitted by the Commission.

It said the corrected information on the 15 individuals had been provided in the amended list to facilitate the appropriate updating of records and ensure that the public was accurately informed.

The Commission further urged the media and the public to verify apparent discrepancies in administrative records with the appropriate official sources.

It reaffirmed its commitment to the evacuation exercise, stating that it was proud of the efforts and sacrifices made to save the lives of Ghanaians and bring them home safely.

Confusion as Ablakwa’s data on SA evacuees shows some returnees are yet to be born in 2034, 2036

See the details below:

CLARIFICATION OF JOY NEWS DATA ANALYSIS ON GOVERNMENT’S SOUTH AFRICA EVACUATION EXERCISE https://t.co/iN1H0nmWmr

— Ghana MFA (@GhanaMFA) October 20, 2026