Accra: Deputy Director-General of the National Service Authority (NSA), Fuseini Donkor, has called for robust reciprocal actions against South Africa in response to renewed xenophobic violence targeting Ghanaians and other African nationals. During an interview on ChannelOne TV's Breakfast Daily, Donkor emphasized the need for Ghana to cease tolerating repeated attacks against its citizens and to respond firmly to what he described as "growing hostility" in South Africa. "If there's no balance of madness, there'll be no sanity," he remarked.
According to Ghana Web, Donkor suggested that Ghana might need to consider sending South African nationals back home to accommodate returning evacuees while reassessing the operations of South African-linked businesses within the country. He stated, "The truth of the matter is that we've treated South Africa with kid gloves. I think we should toughen up on them. They've taken these things for granted. It has become their way of life."
Donkor also criticized certain South African political figures and media personalities for exploiting xenophobic tensions for personal gain. He specifically called out South African media personality Jacinta for criticizing Ghana's response to the attacks, expressing his disapproval of her comments. "The effrontery, the impudence, that she thinks she can even communicate to Ghana that Ghanaians are overreacting. really? Seriously? I found that very unfortunate," he said.
The NSA deputy further supported calls for Ghana to reconsider its business relationships with South African companies operating locally. He mentioned a specific South African mining company, suggesting that its license should not be renewed. He also hinted at potential economic measures against major South African-linked companies such as DSTV and MTN if attacks on Ghanaians persist. "And DSTV and MTN should also get ready," he warned.
Donkor highlighted the failure of years of tolerance from African countries in stopping repeated xenophobic violence in South Africa, referencing past incidents in 2008 and 2015. He invoked former President Jerry John Rawlings while defending his stance, quoting Rawlings' famous words about maintaining equilibrium in confrontations to facilitate negotiations.
His remarks have sparked strong reactions online, with some South Africans defending their country's stance on illegal immigration, unemployment, and crime while rejecting calls for retaliatory action. However, others have supported Donkor's position, advocating for African governments to take tougher measures to protect their citizens abroad as xenophobic attacks continue to surface in South Africa.