Emmanuel Asamoah, a Ghanaian who recently faced harassment in South Africa amid xenophobic tensions, has been brought back to Ghana as authorities moved to protect him due to rising safety concerns.
He landed in Accra on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, arriving from Johannesburg together with Ghana’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Benjamin Quarshie.
At the airport, Asamoah thanked the government for prioritising his safety and said he is eager to meet officials to understand what support measures will be put in place for his business and future plans.
The repatriation followed a widely circulated social media video from April 2026 showing Asamoah being confronted by some South African individuals who demanded his documents, sparking public concern about the treatment of Ghanaians in South Africa and wider worries about migrant safety.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the decision to bring him home was taken to guarantee his immediate protection while diplomatic discussions continued with South African authorities regarding the incident.
Receiving him in Accra, the Coordinating Director for Political and Economic Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Harold Adlai Agyemang, said the move was made under the directive of the Foreign Affairs Minister to ensure Asamoah was placed in a secure environment.
In a related update, Ghana’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Benjamin Quarshie, stated that the mission and the Ministry had engaged in extensive diplomatic talks with relevant South African authorities to address the matter and safeguard Ghanaian citizens.
He noted that although conditions in parts of South Africa remain unstable, officials there have acknowledged Ghana’s concerns, expressed regret over the incident, and apologised, while also facilitating Asamoah’s safe exit through proper immigration procedures.
Mr Quarshie added that Ghana’s diplomatic mission continues to closely monitor the situation and remains in constant contact with local authorities, including security agencies and municipal officials, to stay updated on protests and possible security threats.