South Africa’s Chief Diplomat in Ghana Summoned Amid Xenophobic Incidents

Ghana’s foreign affairs ministry has called in South Africa’s top envoy, Benjamin Quashie, following reports of xenophobic violence targeting its nationals and other African migrants in the southern African nation. The action follows the circulation of video clips online depicting vigilante groups confronting individuals they claimed were in South Africa without proper legal status. One such clip shows a Ghanaian man being questioned by a group of South Africans, who demand to see his documents and challenge his presence in the country.

Xenophobia has long plagued South Africa, often sparking deadly clashes. The recent incidents have reignited concerns about the treatment of foreign residents. Ghanaian officials, including the foreign affairs ministry, have met with the man featured in the video to express solidarity and encourage overseas citizens to remain compliant with local laws. The ministry emphasized that the targeted individual is legally residing in South Africa, calling the behavior of the attackers “a violation of dignity and rights.”

“Such conduct undermines the dignity and rights of law-abiding citizens,” stated Ghana’s foreign affairs ministry in a Thursday press release.

In response, South Africa’s acting high commissioner to Ghana, Thando Dalamba, was also engaged by Ghanaian authorities to formally address the issue. The ministry cited the video as evidence of the xenophobic outbursts, urging both governments to work together to protect foreign nationals. Ghana’s High Commission in South Africa shared footage of Quashie meeting the man, highlighting the situation’s severity while stressing the importance of adhering to legal protocols.

South Africa’s Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has coordinated with his South African counterpart, Ronald Lamola, who pledged to investigate the incidents thoroughly. The Police Minister, Firoz Cachalia, joined the condemnation, stating that “no individual or group has the right to enforce justice independently, regardless of their grievances.”

Official data indicates that approximately 2.4 million migrants reside in South Africa, making up nearly 4% of the population. However, many more are believed to be in the country without formal documentation. Most migrants come from neighboring nations like Lesotho, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique, which have historically supplied labor to South Africa. A smaller group originates from Nigeria.

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