Accra: The Member of Parliament for Okaikwei Central, Patrick Yaw Boamah, has called for a diplomatic resolution to recent tensions involving Ghanaian nationals in South Africa, warning against escalating matters that could be handled through established foreign relations channels. Addressing journalists on June 10, 2026, he stressed that similar situations in the past had been resolved without drastic measures such as evacuations.
According to Ghana Web, Boamah argued that the use of evacuation signals a breakdown or strain in diplomatic engagement, adding that such matters should ordinarily be handled quietly through foreign ministries. He highlighted previous incidents that were managed without evacuation, implying that there are existing channels for addressing such issues which should be utilized by the Foreign Ministry.
Bringing these issues into the public domain often indicates that the situation has escalated beyond normal diplomatic management, Boamah noted. He cautioned that failure to handle such matters carefully could have broader consequences, particularly for ordinary citizens and businesses. Boamah expressed concern about the potential impact on Ghanaians living in areas like the Eastern Cape in South Africa, where many are settled as teachers, doctors, and other professionals.
He urged Ghana and South Africa to prioritize diplomacy in managing the situation, calling for stronger engagement at the highest levels. Boamah emphasized the need to resolve the issue diplomatically to avoid straining the relationship between the two countries and to strengthen diplomatic ties. His comments come in the wake of the evacuation of Ghanaian nationals from South Africa due to escalating xenophobic violence and widespread anti-immigrant protests.