The Border Management Authority (BMA) has successfully processed and repatriated 663 Ghanaian nationals from South Africa to Ghana via OR Tambo International Airport over the weekend.
The operation was coordinated by the Port Management Committee (PMC), a body comprising various government stakeholders tasked with facilitating lawful and orderly movement across the port of entry. The BMA Commissioner confirmed the successful completion of the repatriation exercise.
Saturday Operations
On Saturday, the Ghanaian High Commission in Pretoria brought a group of 332 Ghanaian nationals to OR Tambo International Airport. Following check-in, the travelers underwent verification and clearance by BMA Immigration.
According to a BMA statement, 170 of Saturday’s travelers held Ghanaian ordinary passports, while 162 utilized Emergency Travel Certificates (ETCs) issued by the High Commission. The BMA noted that ETCs are “single-use travel documents issued to facilitate the return of citizens to their country of origin.”
During processing, 321 travelers were found to have overstayed their allocated time in South Africa by 30 days or longer. Consequently, they were declared undesirable under Section 30 of the Immigration Act, read together with Regulation 27(3)(c) of the Immigration Regulations.
Ultimately, 323 passengers were cleared to depart and boarded a chartered flight arranged by the Government of Ghana. However, nine passengers were offloaded, a group that included two couples and their five children.
“The wife of one couple and the husband of the other were declared medically unfit to travel by airline personnel,” the BMA stated. “Airport paramedics were called to assist and subsequently transferred the two travelers to the airport clinic for further medical attention.”
Sunday Operations
On Sunday, a second group of 331 Ghanaian nationals was transported to the airport by the High Commission.
“Among those processed, 117 travelers were using Ghanaian ordinary passports, while 90 were travelling on Emergency Travel Certificates issued by the Ghanaian High Commission in Pretoria,” the BMA reported. “In addition, 37 minor children born in South Africa were also processed using Emergency Travel Certificates.”
BMA officials also processed 25 asylum seekers who voluntarily submitted withdrawal letters to cancel their asylum applications. Similar to the previous day, 170 travelers were found to have overstayed by 30 days or longer and were declared undesirable under Section 30 of the Immigration Act and Regulation 27(3)(c).
A total of 341 passengers were cleared for departure on Sunday, which included 10 deportees transported from the Lindela Holding Facility by the Department of Home Affairs. While one traveler failed to check in, the remaining 340 boarded the Ghanaian government’s chartered flight, which departed at 09:30 local time.
Official Commendation
The repatriation highlights ongoing cooperation between the Government of Ghana and South African migration and border security authorities.
The BMA Commissioner commended the PMC and all participating officials for facilitating the operation. The Commissioner urged foreign missions to maintain close collaboration with relevant government departments to ensure the smooth and lawful execution of future repatriations.
“The successful processing of these repatriation movements reflects the importance of coordinated efforts between foreign missions and South African authorities,” the Commissioner stated. “Such cooperation contributes to effective migration management, while ensuring compliance with the country’s immigration laws.”
