Ghana’s High Commission in South Africa has temporarily suspended registration for its ongoing voluntary evacuation programme to allow authorities to process the large number of applications already received.
In a statement issued on June 1, the mission announced that the suspension would take effect on June 2, 2026. The move is aimed at giving officials sufficient time to verify and assess applications submitted by Ghanaians seeking to participate in the exercise.
According to the High Commission, more than 1,500 Ghanaians residing in South Africa have registered for the programme since it was launched. Authorities are currently reviewing the applications as part of efforts to ensure that only eligible individuals are included in the repatriation process.
“The temporary suspension is to enable the High Commission and the Home Affairs process and screen the large number of applications already received,” the mission said.
The High Commission clarified that the registration halt does not signal the end of the evacuation exercise. Rather, it is a temporary measure intended to facilitate the smooth administration of the programme before a new registration window is opened.
Officials assured Ghanaians who have not yet applied that they will have another opportunity to do so once the current batch of applications has been processed.
“The date of the next phase for the new registration will be communicated in due course,” the statement said, adding that “the repatriation exercise has not yet ended.”
The mission also thanked members of the Ghanaian community in South Africa for their patience, cooperation and understanding throughout the process. It noted that these qualities have been critical in helping authorities manage the exercise efficiently.
The announcement comes as Ghanaian authorities work to manage increasing interest in the voluntary repatriation programme while ensuring all applications undergo the necessary verification procedures before the next phase begins.
