Ablakwa Urges African Countries to Recognise Immigrants as Development Partners
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Minister for Foreign Affairs, has urged African countries to recognise immigrants as contributors to national development rather than threats to economic progress. Speaking on TV3 on Saturday, October 10, 2026, amid renewed tensions in South Africa over asylum seekers’ rights, he called for migration policies that balance effective regulation with respect for free movement protocols and the rights of travellers. “We should not see immigrants and people who travel using our free movement protocols as people who are detrimental to our national progress. They are not parasites,” he said, stressing that countries could manage migration without violating the rights of people crossing their borders.
Mr Ablakwa also reaffirmed his confidence in Africa’s integration agenda and the vision of Ghana’s first President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah, for political unity and economic emancipation across the continent. He said Africa had overcome significant challenges associated with colonialism, imperialism and political subjugation but must intensify efforts to tackle poverty and economic underdevelopment. “We have won the battle against political subjugation, colonialism, imperialism. We now must win the war against poverty, the war against economic underdevelopment. And I believe that can be achieved,” he said.
