Nearly 300 Ghanaian nationals have voluntarily left South Africa and returned to Accra following a surge in anti-immigrant protests and xenophobic tensions that have reignited concerns over the safety of foreign nationals living in Africa’s most industrialized economy.

The repatriation flight, organized by the Ghanaian government in coordination with South African authorities, departed from Johannesburg’s O.R. Tambo International Airport on Wednesday carrying men, women, and children who said they no longer felt safe remaining in the country.

The evacuation comes after weeks of protests, violence, and growing hostility toward migrants in parts of South Africa, where foreigners have increasingly been blamed for unemployment, crime, and pressure on public services.

According to Ghanaian authorities, around 800 Ghanaian citizens have so far registered for voluntary repatriation from South Africa.

Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, said the government would provide reintegration assistance, psychosocial support, and financial aid to returning citizens.

Reuters reported that South African immigration officials stated only 10 of the nearly 300 returnees held legal immigration status, while the majority were reportedly in violation of immigration regulations. Ghanaian authorities issued emergency travel certificates to facilitate the return of those with expired or irregular documentation.

The latest tensions were fueled by viral social media videos allegedly showing assaults and harassment targeting foreign nationals, including Ghanaians, in several South African communities.

South African officials have publicly condemned xenophobic violence while also acknowledging growing public frustration over illegal immigration amid persistent economic hardship. The country continues to face an unemployment rate above 30%, one of the highest among major economies globally.

South Africa’s Foreign Affairs Minister Ronald Lamola previously warned that attacks against migrants threaten the country’s constitutional values and social stability. Authorities pledged to investigate and prosecute individuals involved in violence or intimidation targeting foreign communities.

The repatriation operation has also sparked broader debate across Africa about migration, economic inequality, and the gap between pan-African ideals and realities faced by African migrants within the continent.

Some migrants choosing to leave described living under increasing fear and uncertainty, while others remain reluctant to abandon businesses, jobs, and lives built over years in South Africa.

Migration experts say the current crisis reflects deeper structural issues affecting both South Africa and neighboring African economies, including unemployment, weak economic opportunities, and growing social frustration.

The situation has prompted renewed diplomatic engagement between Accra and Pretoria as both governments attempt to contain tensions and avoid a wider regional fallout.