The Ghanaian government has urged citizens to skip non-essential trips to South Africa (SA) after a spike in xenophobic assaults aimed at African foreigners in several areas of the country.
In a release, the administration voiced deep worry over the growing violence allegedly led by groups acting as anti-immigrant enforcers. The episodes have caused injuries, business shutdowns and seizures, looting and damage to property owned by African migrants.
The government noted it has already rolled out multiple diplomatic and humanitarian actions to address the crisis, including filing official objections at the top diplomatic level, calling in South Africa’s Acting High Commissioner in Accra, appealing to the African Union, and arranging evacuations for Ghanaian nationals.
“The Government of the Republic of Ghana hereby advises Ghanaian nationals to exercise extreme caution in their travel plans and avoid non-essential travel to South Africa until further notice,” the statement said.
Ghanaians now living in South Africa have also been told to keep close contact with the Ghana High Commission to get consular support and receive prompt safety updates. The government restated its pledge to safeguard Ghanaians overseas and said it will keep partnering with South African officials to enable safe repatriation for citizens wishing to return home.
“The Government of the Republic of Ghana will continue to collaborate with the relevant authorities of the Republic of South Africa to facilitate the evacuation of Ghanaian nationals to ensure their safety,” the statement added.
Meanwhile, Ghana has pressed South African authorities to move quickly to reinstate law and order and ensure sufficient protection for African migrants and other vulnerable groups inside its borders.The government emphasized that shielding African nationals and fighting xenophobia are vital to advancing Pan-African ideals and regional unity.
“The Government of the Republic of Ghana wishes to call on the Government of the Republic of South Africa to provide adequate security for targeted groups of Africans in its territory and take measures to enforce law and order in the spirit of genuine Pan-Africanism and African integration,” the statement noted.
The latest caution comes amid rising anxiety over foreigner safety in South Africa following reports of assaults on enterprises and neighbourhoods run by migrants from other African nations.
