Ghanaians under attack in South Africa, Minority demands Mahama call Ramaphosa now, before more blood is spilled.
The Minority Caucus of Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee has called for urgent presidential-level intervention in the face of alleged xenophobic attacks on Ghanaians and other African nationals in South Africa. In a statement signed by the MP for Damongo and Ranking Member, Samuel Abu Jinapor, the caucus said recent incidents in KwaZulu-Natal, Durban and Gauteng point to a worrying pattern of violence against foreign nationals, including Ghanaian traders and residents, with reports of assault, harassment and attacks on businesses, in some cases allegedly in the presence of law enforcement officers. It also referenced the much publicised attack on Emmanuel Asamoah to highlight the seriousness of the matter and rejected the notion that foreigners were responsible for crimes or economic difficulties, branding such allegations as unfounded. The Minority commended Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa for engaging the South African authorities and providing support for the affected citizens but said more needs to be done. It is urging President John Dramani Mahama to engage South African President Cyril Ramaphosa directly to ensure that firm protections are put in place, as well as increasing consular support, escalating to the African Union and ECOWAS and coordinated measures to ensure arrests and prosecutions as well as possible compensation for victims.
