Foreign Affairs Minister has expressed the government’s appreciation to the Church of Pentecost for providing shelter and humanitarian support to hundreds of Ghanaians who fled recent xenophobic attacks in South Africa.

The Minister conveyed the government’s gratitude during a meeting with the Chairman of the Church of Pentecost, Apostle Dr Eric Nyamekye, on Wednesday, August 12, in Accra.

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According to the Minister, branches of the church in South Africa opened their facilities as safe havens for about 500 Ghanaians who fled the latest wave of xenophobic attacks.

The affected Ghanaians were sheltered for approximately two months at Pentecost branches in Johannesburg, Pretoria West and Kempton Park before being evacuated by the Government of Ghana.

The church also provided the evacuees with food and clothing during their stay.

“On behalf of His Excellency John Mahama and the Foreign Ministry of Ghana, I conveyed our eternal gratitude to The Church of Pentecost,” the Minister said in a statement.

Church's humanitarian support

The Minister also commended the Church of Pentecost for what he described as its consistent humanitarian support for Ghanaians facing difficulties abroad.

He cited the church’s assistance to Ghanaians during the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The Pentecost Church in South Africa generously offered their churches as safe havens to accommodate some 500 Ghanaians who fled the latest wave of xenophobic attacks,” he said.

The Minister said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Church of Pentecost had agreed to deepen their collaboration to improve consular assistance for Ghanaians living abroad.

The proposed collaboration is expected to leverage the church’s extensive international presence, with the Church of Pentecost having branches in 210 overseas territories.

More than 1,600 Ghanaians evacuated

Meanwhile, the government is continuing with the evacuation of Ghanaians affected by the xenophobic attacks in South Africa.

The Minister said more than 1,600 Ghanaians had so far been safely brought back to Ghana as part of the ongoing evacuation exercise.

The government has assured affected nationals of continued support as efforts are made to facilitate their safe return home.

The Minister concluded by expressing gratitude to the Church of Pentecost for its support, saying: “God bless the Church of Pentecost.”