JOHANNESBURG — Approximately 300 Ghanaian citizens departed Johannesburg for Ghana on Wednesday as part of a voluntary repatriation program initiated in response to anti-immigrant tensions in South Africa. The evacuation followed weeks of protests in South Africa fueled by frustrations over unemployment, crime, and access to public services.

Families and travelers assembled at Tambo International Airport with their luggage as officials and police coordinated the departure process. More than 800 Ghanaians had previously registered with the Ghana High Commission in Pretoria for evacuation following weeks of protests and rising fears among foreign nationals.

Ghana’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Benjamin Quashie, told reporters at the airport that more people than those on the registered list turned up to the airport. Quashie said their registration would be processed ahead of the next flight to Ghana, expected to depart Sunday.

Ghanaian authorities said the repatriation effort was being carried out in coordination with South African officials after concerns over the safety and well-being of migrants. The move followed Ghana summoning South Africa’s ambassador over reported attacks on Ghanaians.

Some of those repatriated had been held at the Lindela Repatriation Centre for immigration-related matters. South African authorities have condemned violence against foreign nationals while acknowledging concerns about illegal immigration.

Loren Landau, a migration expert and political analyst at the University of the Witwatersrand, said, "I think in this case, it’s less about Ghana trying to protect its citizens per se, or these 300. This is a symbolic move to try to send a message to their sort of bigger counterpart, South Africa, that this is politically unacceptable."