The Church of Pentecost provided shelter, food and clothing to about 500 Ghanaians who fled their homes amid the latest wave of xenophobic attacks in South Africa.

The humanitarian intervention was disclosed by the Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, following a meeting with the Chairman of the Church of Pentecost, Apostle Dr Eric Nyamekye, in Accra on Wednesday, August 12.

According to the Minister, the affected Ghanaians sought refuge at branches of the church in Johannesburg, Pretoria West and Kempton Park after fleeing areas affected by the attacks.

The church accommodated the 500 Ghanaians for about two months before the Government of Ghana evacuated them as part of its ongoing efforts to ensure the safety of Ghanaian nationals in South Africa.

In addition to providing accommodation, the church supplied the affected nationals with food and clothing during their stay.

The Foreign Affairs Minister said the government and the people of Ghana were grateful to the Church of Pentecost for what he described as an outstanding demonstration of compassion towards Ghanaians in distress.

He conveyed the appreciation on behalf of President John Dramani Mahama and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Church praised for humanitarian support

Mr Ablakwa also commended the Church of Pentecost for its consistent humanitarian assistance to Ghanaians facing difficulties abroad.

He cited the church's support to Ghanaians during the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the COVID-19 pandemic as examples of its wider humanitarian interventions.

The Minister said the latest support in South Africa demonstrated the important role faith-based organisations could play in complementing government efforts to protect and assist Ghanaians abroad.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Church of Pentecost have also agreed to strengthen their collaboration in providing consular assistance to Ghanaians living overseas.

The partnership is expected to benefit from the church's extensive international presence, with branches in 210 overseas territories.

Meanwhile, the government says its evacuation exercise in South Africa remains ongoing.

More than 1,600 Ghanaians have so far been brought back to Ghana safely as authorities continue efforts to evacuate nationals affected by the xenophobic attacks.