The government has announced a GH¢5,500 support package for Ghanaian evacuees returning from South Africa as part of efforts to facilitate their reintegration into society. The package includes a GH¢5,000 reintegration grant, a GH¢500 travel and transport allowance, relief items from the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), and free registration under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS). Addressing a news conference at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) in Accra, Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa said the support was designed to help the returnees rebuild their lives after returning under difficult circumstances.
The minister said the ministry would provide a comprehensive account of the evacuation exercise after its completion, adding that corporate organisations and philanthropists, including business mogul Ibrahim Mahama, contributed to the process alongside government’s efforts. The two-phase evacuation exercise is expected to bring home nearly 2,000 Ghanaians. The first phase saw 926 returnees arrive in the country, while the second phase is expected to facilitate the return of about 1,000 more.
Reintegration support Mr Ablakwa said government was implementing additional reintegration measures, including job opportunities, skills training and entrepreneurship support for the returnees. He explained that all returnees would be enrolled onto a special national database to connect them with employment opportunities, skills development programmes, entrepreneurship initiatives and start-up support. A multi-agency Presidential Task Force on Reintegration has also been established, involving the ministries of Employment and Labour Relations, Education, Trade and Industry, Gender and Social Protection, and Local Government to coordinate the process.
The minister said the task force had commenced skills mapping through interviews to assess the professional backgrounds, experiences and aspirations of adult returnees. He added that about 200 job opportunities had already been secured through partnerships with private sector organisations. Engineers and Planners Limited has committed 100 positions, while Telecel Ghana, AirtelTigo and other companies have also offered employment opportunities.
“Government believes strongly that no Ghanaian returning home under distressing circumstances should feel abandoned or excluded from n…
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