Ghana evacuates 327 citizens from Ivory Coast after Abidjan demolitions
Ghana said Friday it was repatriating 327 nationals from Ivory Coast after they were displaced by demolitions in Abidjan, where authorities have been clearing settlements in a push to “restore urban order”. The foreign ministry said 228 Ghanaians arrived on Thursday after being evacuated from the Port-Bouët district of the Ivorian economic capital, with the remaining evacuees expected to return on Friday. Authorities are providing buses and trucks free of charge to transport people and their belongings. Ivorian officials say the demolition operation targets informal settlements built in disaster-prone areas to prevent loss of life from flooding and landslides, but it has displaced dozens of families, raising concerns about humanitarian impact and access to shelter for those uprooted. Ghana’s diplomatic mission in Abidjan is coordinating the evacuation and will remain engaged with Ivorian authorities, who have indicated plans to compensate those affected. West African countries share strong migration ties, with many Ghanaians living and working in Ivory Coast—similar patterns apply to Nigerians who also reside and work there. This situation highlights the risks faced by migrants in informal settlements across West African cities and underscores the importance of knowing evacuation procedures and embassy contacts. Nigerians in Ivory Coast should monitor local authority updates, keep travel documents ready, know evacuation routes and embassy contacts, and consider temporary shelter options. Those planning travel should check advisories, while regional bodies like ECOWAS may need to address humanitarian standards for such operations.