The government of Ghana has expressed its profound appreciation to The Church of Pentecost for providing shelter and humanitarian support to about 500 Ghanaians who fled their homes and businesses following renewed xenophobic attacks in South Africa.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, conveyed the government’s gratitude on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, when he led a delegation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on a courtesy call on the Chairman of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Dr. Eric Nyamekye, at the Church’s headquarters in Accra.
The Church’s intervention provided a critical safe haven for the affected Ghanaians, who were accommodated at three branches of The Church of Pentecost in South Africa — Kempton Park, Johannesburg and Pretoria West.
During their stay, the Church provided the evacuees with accommodation, food, clothing and other essential support while arrangements were made for their evacuation to Ghana.
According to Hon. Ablakwa, the intervention came at a critical moment when hundreds of Ghanaians, displaced by the attacks, had lost access to their homes, shops and sources of livelihood and had nowhere else to turn.
He commended the leadership, pastors and members of The Church of Pentecost who coordinated the humanitarian response, noting that the Church went beyond providing accommodation to also cater for the welfare and upkeep of the affected nationals.
The Minister said the government was particularly grateful for the Church’s willingness to open its facilities to Ghanaians at a time of crisis and uncertainty.
The remaining Ghanaians being hosted at the Church’s Johannesburg branch are expected to be evacuated as part of the final phase of the government’s evacuation exercise.
Receiving the government delegation, Apostle Dr. Eric Nyamekye welcomed the gesture of appreciation and described the visit as appropriate and encouraging.
He reaffirmed the Church’s commitment to supporting people in times of crisis, irrespective of their religious or national background and called for greater collaboration between the ministry of foreign affairs and The Church of Pentecost as both institutions are key stakeholders in the missions enterprise.
The Chairman said the Church considers such humanitarian interventions part of its responsibility to serve humanity and contribute to the welfare of people in distress.
PENT NEWS.
