The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, paid a courtesy call on the Chairman of the Church of Pentecost, Apostle Dr. Eric Nyamekye, during which he conveyed profound appreciation of the Government and people of Ghana for the exceptional compassion demonstrated by the Church’s branches in South Africa.

The Minister indicated that the Church of Pentecost in South Africa opened its facilities to provide safe shelter for approximately 500 Ghanaians affected by the recent xenophobic attacks. He explained that, for nearly two months before their evacuation by the Government of Ghana, the affected nationals had been accommodated at the Church’s branches in Johannesburg, Pretoria West and Kempton Park, where they had also received food, clothing and other essential support.

On behalf of His Excellency President John Dramani Mahama and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Minister expressed gratitude to the Church and commended it for its consistent humanitarian assistance to Ghanaians in distress abroad, including support extended during the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Minister further announced that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Church of Pentecost had agreed to strengthen their collaboration to enhance consular assistance for Ghanaians living abroad. He observed that the Church’s presence in 210 overseas territories presented valuable opportunities to broaden support for Ghanaian nationals worldwide.

He also assured the public that the Government’s evacuation of Ghanaian nationals from South Africa would continue, noting that more than 1,600 Ghanaians had already been safely repatriated.

The Minister concluded by invoking God’s blessings upon the Church of Pentecost for its invaluable humanitarian service.