A Ghanaian mother of twin girls who returned to Ghana during the evacuation of citizens from South Africa has appealed for urgent government intervention after being separated from one of her children for more than two months.
The distressed mother said she arrived at the airport with her twin girls on the day of the evacuation but was informed that one of the children’s names was missing from the evacuation list and, consequently, she could not be allowed to board the flight.
She was therefore compelled to return to Ghana with only one of her twins, leaving the other behind in South Africa.
According to her, she was assured that arrangements would be made to facilitate the return of the child to Ghana. However, more than two months after arriving in the country, she is yet to be reunited with her daughter.
Her situation highlights the difficulties faced by some Ghanaian families during the evacuation exercise, with reports indicating that other citizens also travelled back to Ghana while leaving their children behind in South Africa.
The development has raised concerns about the coordination of the evacuation process, particularly the arrangements for children whose names were reportedly missing from official evacuation lists a phenomenon attributed to the Consular Department of the Pretoria mission.
For parents, especially those with multiple children, the separation has created painful family circumstances and uncertainty over when they will be reunited.
The controversy has also generated questions about allegations that some staff members of the Ghanaian Embassy in South Africa collected monies from individuals seeking assistance.
However, concerns have been raised over what critics describe as attempts by the High Commissioner Benjamin Quashie to defend the embassy staff rather than adequately address the allegations and the circumstances surrounding the stranded Ghanaians.
The allegations of financial impropriety require an independent investigation, and the relevant authorities must establish whether any embassy officials collected money from citizens in connection with the evacuation arrangements.
When contacted for comments on the concerns surrounding the evacuation exercise, the High Commissioner Benjamin Quashie declined to directly address the allegations and instead directed enquiries to the sector ministry.
He stated: **”Speak to the main ministry,”** adding that the Ghanaian government could not continue undertaking evacuation exercises in perpetuity.
The response has further highlighted the need for clarity on the government’s position regarding citizens who were unable to return with their families during the exercise.
While the government may have legitimate logistical and financial considerations in organising evacuation operations, questions remain about the responsibility to assist citizens, particularly children, who were left behind through circumstances connected to the exercise.
The case of the mother of twins presents a particularly troubling situation, as she continues to live in Ghana without one of her daughters despite assurances that arrangements would be made for her return.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ghanaian Embassy in South Africa are being urged to provide a clear account of the steps taken to locate and facilitate the return of the affected children.
For the mother, the priority remains simple: to be reunited with her daughters.
She is calling on the authorities and the Ghana Ambassador to South Africa, HE Benjamin Quashie to assist in bringing her daughter home.
