President John Dramani Mahama says Ghana’s diplomatic relations with South Africa remain strong despite recent xenophobic attacks that have forced the evacuation of some Ghanaian nationals.
Speaking at Chatham House, a policy institute in London, during his official visit to the United Kingdom, President Mahama described the incidents as unfortunate and expressed concern about rising hostility towards foreign African nationals.
He said there had been no breakdown in relations between Ghana and South Africa despite repeated waves of anti-foreign violence in the country.
“We do not have any breach in our diplomatic relations,” he said, adding that such attacks were not new in South Africa.
“They say we shouldn’t call it xenophobia. I don’t know what else you can call it, but there have been surges in anti-foreign attacks.”
The President noted that while earlier incidents had largely affected nationals from neighbouring countries such as Mozambique, Malawi, Zimbabwe and Nigeria, Ghanaians have recently become direct targets.
“Lately, Ghanaians have gotten involved. This is the first time we’ve really had Ghanaians getting part of the direction of attacks,” he said.
President Mahama explained that worsening security conditions and attacks on foreign-owned businesses forced government to organise voluntary evacuations for affected citizens.
He said many Ghanaians in South Africa were engaged in skilled trades and small businesses, including barbering, hairdressing, beauty services and other entrepreneurial ventures.
According to him, during the unrest, shops owned by foreigners were shut down while many migrants feared moving freely due to the risk of being identified and attacked. He also cited reports of restrictions at some health facilities.
“And if you were not South African, you were asked to leave the hospital. Even if you were ill, it created a very toxic atmosphere,” he said.
President Mahama added that many displaced Ghanaians from Durban and other areas sought refuge at Ghana’s High Commission in Pretoria, with nearly 200 people sheltering at the mission at the peak of the crisis.
He said the government decided to evacuate citizens after concerns over their safety and the pace of response by South African authorities.
“It didn’t look like the South African authorities were doing anything to try to quell what was happening and also to provide protection,” he said.
He confirmed that evacuation flights had begun, with more planned to bring home Ghanaians who voluntarily wished to return.
“We asked, do you want to stay or you want to leave? And many of them said they feel threatened, so they want to leave,” he added.
