Businessman and mining entrepreneur Ibrahim Mahama has offered 100 employment opportunities to Ghanaian nationals evacuated from South Africa following recent xenophobic attacks and anti-immigrant protests that have displaced thousands of foreign nationals.
The gesture forms part of a broader reintegration programme being coordinated by the Government of Ghana to support citizens who voluntarily returned home after losing businesses, jobs and other assets during the unrest.
The announcement was made by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, when he welcomed a fresh batch of returnees at the Accra International Airport on the night of Saturday, June 7, 2026.
Addressing the evacuees, Mr. Ablakwa revealed that approximately 200 job opportunities had already been secured through partnerships with the private sector, with Engineers and Planners Limited, owned by Ibrahim Mahama, leading the initiative.
“I am so impressed that already, about 200 jobs have been secured for you and leading the path is Mr. Ibrahim Mahama’s Engineers and Planners. They have offered 100 jobs,” the Minister announced.
The employment opportunities are expected to provide a critical lifeline for many returnees who lost their livelihoods and now face the challenge of rebuilding their lives in Ghana.
Support Beyond Employment
In addition to offering jobs, Ibrahim Mahama has extended direct support to some victims of the attacks.
One of the beneficiaries is Emmanuel Asamoah, a Ghanaian who suffered significant losses during the xenophobic violence in South Africa.
Mr. Mahama presented GH¢200,000 to Mr. Asamoah to enable him to take time to reunite with his family, recover from his ordeal and prepare for a new business venture in Ghana.
Beyond the financial assistance, he has also established a cement distribution and construction hardware depot for Mr. Asamoah, providing him with a foundation to restart his economic life and become self-reliant.
The intervention has been widely praised as a practical demonstration of private sector support for national reintegration efforts.
Call for Ghanaians to return home
At a meeting held in Accra and attended by Ghana’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Ibrahim Mahama reportedly encouraged Ghanaians living in South Africa to consider returning home and contributing their skills, experience and expertise to Ghana’s development.
His appeal comes as government intensifies efforts to evacuate citizens who have expressed a desire to leave South Africa amid growing concerns over their safety and security.
Corporate Ghana rallies behind returnees
The Foreign Affairs Minister disclosed that other corporate institutions have also pledged support for the reintegration programme.
According to him, telecommunications companies AirtelTigo and Telecel have already reached out to government with offers of assistance, while several chief executive officers from other organisations have expressed interest in supporting the returnees.
“I want to also thank AirtelTigo and Telecel, they have also reached out. There are many other CEOs calling that they are going to be part of this programme. They are not going to sit back and just watch you having lost everything, businesses and assets. They are going to partner with government to make sure you are fully integrated,” Mr. Ablakwa said.
The minister indicated that government is working closely with private sector partners to ensure that the returnees receive meaningful support that will enable them to reintegrate successfully into society.
More evacuees arrive
The latest group of returnees arrived in Accra as part of an ongoing evacuation exercise involving more than 1,500 Ghanaian nationals who opted to return home following renewed xenophobic attacks and anti-immigrant demonstrations in parts of South Africa.
The first flight of the second batch brought approximately 345 evacuees to Ghana, while another flight carrying more than 300 passengers is expected to arrive as the operation continues.
Government officials say the reintegration programme will go beyond employment opportunities and include other forms of economic and social support designed to help returnees rebuild their lives and livelihoods.
A model of public-private partnership
The support package announced by Ibrahim Mahama and other corporate entities is being viewed as an important example of how collaboration between government and the private sector can help address humanitarian and economic challenges.
For many of the returnees, the promise of jobs, business support and reintegration assistance offers hope after losing years of hard work and investment abroad.
As more evacuees continue to arrive home, the success of the reintegration programme is expected to play a crucial role in determining how quickly they can regain economic stability and contribute meaningfully to Ghana’s development.
