Ghanaians repatriated from South Africa could face severe legal consequences if they attempt to return to the area, Ghana's High Commissioner to South Africa, Benjamin Quarshie, has hinted.

During a media interaction, he explained that once fingerprints are taken during the repatriation process, the person becomes subject to strict immigration restrictions, including possible re-entry bans.

He added, “Once your fingerprints are taken during the repatriation process, you cannot return to South Africa. Anyone who does so faces a compulsory 10-year ban”.

The revelation comes ahead of a planned repatriation exercise expected in the coming days. The next batch of evacuees from South Africa is set to arrive in Ghana by Sunday, June 7, the Ghana High Commission in South Africa has announced under the ongoing voluntary evacuation programme amid the rising violent xenophobic attacks on foreign nationals.

This comes barely a day after the Commission announced the temporary suspension of the repatriation registration exercise to allow it to complete the screening of the growing number of people who have currently registered for the voluntary repatriation.

In a notice to Ghanaians in South Africa, the Commission released a list of registered evacuees who are set to be airlifted on Sunday to report to the Commission by Saturday, June 6, for briefing, verification and other pre-departure procedures.

“All individuals scheduled for evacuation on Sunday, 7 June 2026, are required to report to the High Commission on the evening of Saturday, 6 June 2026, for pre-departure arrangements, verification, and briefing”, parts of the notice read.

It also admonished that all persons on the list who have changed their minds about returning home should inform the consular by tomorrow, Thursday, June 4, to aid arrangements for other interested persons.

“Individuals whose names appear on the approved evacuation list but no longer intend to travel are kindly requested to notify the High Commission no later than 12:00 noon on Thursday, 4 June 2026. This will enable other eligible applicants to be accommodated on the flight”, the notice added.

Luggage requirements and guidelines for parents and guardiansUnder the travel guidelines, each passenger will be permitted to check in two bags, with a maximum weight of 23 kilograms per bag. Any luggage exceeding the stipulated limit will not be accepted.

Parents and guardians travelling with children have been advised to carry all required travel documents, including consent letters where necessary.

“Each traveller is entitled to two pieces of checked luggage with a maximum weight of 23kg each. Any baggage exceeding the prescribed weight limit will not be accepted for travel.

Parents or guardians travelling with children are required to bring all necessary travel documentation, including consent letters (where applicable), Road-to-Health Cards, and/or child weighing cards.

“Travellers issued with Emergency Travel Certificates (ETCs) will receive their documents at the airport on the day of departure”, the notice added.

Meanwhile, over the weekend, the Foreign Affairs Minister, Okudzeto Ablakwa, announced that following the successful repatriation of the first 301 Ghanaians from South Africa, an additional 600 more have registered at Ghana’s High Commission in the host country to be brought back home.

In a Facebook post on Saturday, May 31, the Minister said that “600 more Ghanaians have registered at our High Commission to be evacuated from South Africa.”

Consequently, the government will not hesitate to respond to the desires of the distressed Ghanaians in South Africa amid the heightened xenophobic violent attacks on foreigners, including those from Ghana.“When the safety and dignity of Ghanaians are at stake, the Government of Ghana does not compromise or dither”, he said.

Mr Ablakwa also expressed admiration for the resilience of affected Ghanaians, commending their calmness and determination in the face of the situation.

“I am immensely proud of the resilient spirit of Ghanaians,” he added. Julius Malema slams Ghanaian government over citizens' evacuation

Leader of South Africa’s Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), Julius Malema, has broken silence following the evacuation of the first batch of 300 Ghanaians in South Africa.

In a viral video, the politician noted that the Ghanaian government could have responded to recent xenophobic attacks in South Africa without resorting to the evacuation of citizens.

According to him, the best approach could have been to pursue stronger diplomatic engagement and protective measures in collaboration with the South African government.

He added, “The Ghana response was not necessary because it now creates an impression that we are all like that when it is a certain section of our society that needs to be contained by law enforcement”.

“And one Ghanaian lady was saying, ‘you see the problem is, and I wouldn't have taken this option, the problem is we're being beaten in front of the police, and the police are not doing anything. That's a problem. And when this opportunity came for me to leave, I left because if the police can't defend me, it means the state is in agreement with the people who are beating me’.

“So, we think it was too quick, we will still resolve this, and the president of Ghana should have given us some time to really deal with this matter and we'll get to the bottom of it. We hope they will come back to their senses".