The President, John Dramani Mahama, has said that diplomatic relations between Ghana and South Africa remain robust despite recent xenophobic attacks that led to the evacuation of some Ghanaian nationals from the rainbow nation.
The President, while speaking at Chattam House as part of his five-day official visit to the United Kingdom, expressed disappointment over the rising hostility toward foreign African nationals.
“Our relations with South Africa continue. We do not have any breach in our diplomatic relations,” the President stated.
He noted that while such attacks have previously impacted citizens from Mozambique, Malawi, Zimbabwe, and Nigeria, this marks the first time Ghanaians have been targeted in this manner.
Describing the environment that led to the evacuations, the President recounted how foreigners faced threats of violence and exclusion from health facilities.
“It created a very, you know, toxic atmosphere, and many of our citizens rushed to our embassy because they were displaced. Especially those who came from Durban and other places. They sought refuge in our embassy,” he said, adding that, at one point, nearly 200 citizens were seeking shelter there.
President Mahama expressed concern regarding the response from local authorities, noting, “it didn’t look like the South African authorities were doing anything to try to quell what was happening.”
A total of 297 Ghanaians were repatriated home from South Africa amid fears there could be a resurgence of xenophobic violence there.
They were screened at the airport upon their arrival at the Accra International Airport last week, and the government have begun the process of re-integrating into the Ghanaian society.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
