The Minority Caucus on the Foreign Affairs Committee of Parliament has raised concerns over the government’s decision to postpone the planned evacuation of Ghanaian nationals from South Africa, describing the development as worrying and indicative of weak crisis coordination.

In a statement issued on May 22, 2026, and signed by the Ranking Member of the Committee, Samuel Abu Jinapor, the Minority said it had taken note of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ announcement but was dissatisfied with the handling of the evacuation process.

The Caucus argued that the postponement raises serious questions about the government’s preparedness and its commitment to protecting Ghanaian citizens abroad, particularly amid reports of renewed xenophobic attacks in South Africa.

It noted that earlier reports of intimidation and attacks against foreign nationals had created fear among Ghanaians living in the country, prompting the government to announce evacuation arrangements.

According to the statement, hundreds of Ghanaians had already registered with the Ghana High Commission in Pretoria in anticipation of being evacuated.

The Minority recalled that it had previously called for swift and coordinated action following the initial reports of unrest, stressing that the protection of citizens abroad is a core responsibility of the state.

While acknowledging the government’s initial announcement of evacuation plans, the Caucus said it was disappointed that the exercise had been postponed due to what authorities described as legal and logistical challenges.

“It is therefore disappointing that after the announcements, assurances and public statements, we are now being told that the exercise has been postponed due to legal and logistical requirements,” the statement said.

The Minority argued that such challenges should have been anticipated before any public commitment was made, insisting that proper operational planning should precede official announcements during crisis situations.

It further expressed concern about what it described as lapses in coordination within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, urging improved planning and communication in handling sensitive citizen protection matters.

The statement also highlighted the human impact of the situation, noting that affected Ghanaians are individuals and families seeking safety and reassurance from the state.

“Behind every statistic is a Ghanaian citizen, a family living in fear, and people looking to their country for protection and reassurance,” it stated.

The Minority therefore called on government to act with urgency, provide regular updates to affected citizens, and ensure all necessary measures are in place to safeguard Ghanaians abroad.

It reiterated its call for a more coordinated and proactive approach to foreign affairs crisis management, especially in matters involving the safety of citizens outside the country.