By Ayomide Otitoju
Ghana has summoned South Africa’s acting high commissioner over what it described as “xenophobic incidents” involving Ghanaian nationals living in South Africa.
The Ghanaian Foreign Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, raised concern over a recent incident in KwaZulu-Natal province in which a legally resident Ghanaian migrant was allegedly confronted and told to return home and “fix his country,” according to a statement from Ghana’s foreign ministry on Thursday.
The ministry also warned of rising tensions and advised foreign nationals, including Ghanaians, to remain indoors for their safety amid reports of growing anti-migrant sentiment.
During a meeting with South Africa’s acting high commissioner, Thando Dalamba, Ablakwa stressed Ghana’s historical support for the anti-apartheid struggle and said the harassment of law-abiding migrants was inconsistent with African solidarity.
South Africa, Africa’s most industrialised economy, has long attracted both legal and undocumented migrants from across the continent. However, it has also experienced recurring waves of xenophobic protests and violence, fuelled in part by unemployment levels exceeding 30 percent.
According to official data from 2022, around 2.4 million foreign-born residents live in South Africa, representing about four percent of the population.
