Baku:The Ghanaian community in France has reported no physical injuries among its members during the recent unrest in the country, according to Michael Osei-Mensah, President of the Ghanaian Community in France Council.
According to Ghana Web, Osei-Mensah stated that community leaders had verified information from Ghanaian groups throughout France and found no reports of members being physically harmed by the disturbances.
The unrest in France, which began with student protests over educational conditions, has escalated into violence, looting, and damage to public structures and monuments. Students initially demonstrated to highlight issues such as inadequate infrastructure, teacher shortages, and problems with the school placement system. However, the original message has been overshadowed by the subsequent violence.
Osei-Mensah estimated that the Ghanaian population in France is close to 100,000, including both Ghana-born individuals and their descendants. He clarified that Ghanaians were not the focus of the unrest, which primarily aimed to address educational grievances to the French government. Nonetheless, he noted that Ghanaian students might face indirect effects if the disturbances continue to impact education.
The French president has addressed the nation on television regarding measures to contain the unrest, which Osei-Mensah said has offered some reassurance. He also mentioned allegations that some political groups might be using the situation to gain an advantage ahead of the next presidential election, although he did not provide evidence for this claim.
Additionally, Osei-Mensah highlighted the rising living costs in France, partly due to increased fuel prices amid global energy supply disruptions. He urged calm and expressed hope that the situation would be resolved, reassuring the Ghanaian community of their safety and encouraging them to remain calm.