Accra: Ghana's Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has denounced the recent xenophobic attacks against West Africans, including Ghanaians, in South Africa. He described the development as 'regrettable, condemnable and a betrayal of African solidarity.'
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Ablakwa made the remarks in Accra during the inauguration of the Permanent Joint Commission for Cooperation (PJCC) between Ghana and Sierra Leone. At the event, bilateral agreements and memoranda of understanding were signed to deepen cooperation between the two countries. The Minister highlighted that these attacks, targeting law-abiding African nationals, undermined the spirit of Pan-Africanism and the shared historical struggle that united the continent against colonialism and apartheid.
He specifically noted that West Africans have been subjected to another round of xenophobic attacks in South Africa, with Ghanaians among the affected. Ghana has engaged South African authorities at the highest levels to demand urgent action against these incidents. Xenophobic tensions in South Africa have a long history, with periodic violence often fueled by economic frustrations, unemployment, and competition for limited resources. Foreign nationals, particularly from other African countries, have frequently been targeted, leading to deaths, injuries, and destruction of property.
The latest wave of attacks has sparked widespread concern across the continent, prompting calls from governments and regional bodies for decisive action to protect migrants and uphold human rights. Mr. Ablakwa revealed that he had held discussions with the South African High Commission in Accra and engaged his South African counterpart, who expressed regret and assured Ghana of investigations into the incidents. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has also pledged to address the situation and urged citizens to respect the rights and dignity of all Africans living in the country.
Despite these assurances, Mr. Ablakwa stressed the troubling nature of the attacks, given Africa's shared history and the contributions of other African countries, including Ghana, in the struggle against apartheid. He recalled Ghana's role in supporting South Africa's liberation struggle, emphasizing the sacrifices made and the support extended to freedom fighters and the African National Congress (ANC).
The Minister emphasized that African unity must remain paramount, urging leaders across the continent to speak out against xenophobia and protect the rights of all Africans, regardless of nationality. He reaffirmed Ghana's commitment to ensuring the safety of all foreign nationals within its borders, including South Africans, and cautioned against any form of reprisal attacks. He expressed hope that the latest incidents would be the last of such attacks, calling for sustained efforts to promote tolerance, coexistence, and African integration.
Mr. Ablakwa highlighted the long-standing historical ties between Ghana and South Africa, dating back to the colonial era, emphasizing that such cooperation exemplifies the true spirit of African unity, which must be preserved and strengthened in the face of divisive tendencies like xenophobia. He stressed that Africa's future depends on unity and collective progress, not division, urging all African countries to deepen cooperation and reject xenophobia in all its forms.
Mrs. Francess Piagie Alghali, Sierra Leone's Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, echoed the condemnation, denouncing the attacks and calling for adherence to humanitarian principles and African unity. She urged the South African government to address the matter within the framework of humanitarian law and African solidarity.
The PJCC event witnessed the signing of six memoranda of understanding and one agreement, with both countries pledging to ensure effective implementation to deliver tangible benefits to their citizens.