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Ghana has begun repatriating 327 of its citizens displaced by ongoing demolition exercises in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, as authorities continue efforts to clear informal settlements in parts of the city.
In a statement on Friday, Ghana’s Foreign Ministry said 228 affected nationals arrived home on Thursday after being evacuated from the Port-Bouët district of Abidjan, with the remaining evacuees expected to return on Friday.
“The Government of Ghana is repatriating… 327 Ghanaians who were affected by the ongoing mass demolition exercise,” the ministry said in a statement.
The ministry said the repatriated citizens had been living in areas affected by the demolitions and were left stranded after losing their homes and sources of livelihood.
Authorities said buses and trucks were provided free of charge to transport both the returnees and their belongings.
The demolition campaign is part of efforts by Ivorian authorities to remove settlements located in areas vulnerable to flooding and landslides, with the stated aim of improving urban planning and reducing disaster risks.
However, the exercise has displaced dozens of families and raised concerns over its humanitarian impact and the availability of alternative shelter for those affected.
Ghana said its diplomatic mission in Abidjan is coordinating the evacuation process and remains in contact with Ivorian authorities, who have indicated plans to compensate people affected by the demolitions.
Abidjan, Ivory Coast’s economic capital, has experienced rapid population growth and extensive urban development in recent decades, particularly in areas prone to seasonal flooding.
Ghana and Ivory Coast maintain strong migration links, with large numbers of Ghanaians living and working in the neighbouring West African country.
