world
Ghana Summons South African Envoy Over Reports of Attack on Foreigner
Ghana has summoned South Africa's acting high commissioner following reports of intimidation and harassment against Ghanaian citizens and other migrants in South Africa. Videos circulating online show groups confronting individuals suspected of being in the country illegally. Officials from both countries have discussed the incidents, with South African authorities condemning vigilante actions.
Substrate placeholder — needs reviewAudio version
Tap play to generate a narrated version.
Ghana's foreign affairs ministry summoned South Africa's acting high commissioner to Ghana, Thando Dalamba, to protest recent incidents of intimidation and harassment against foreigners, including Ghanaians. The ministry cited a video showing a group of South Africans questioning a Ghanaian man's immigration status and telling him to leave despite him producing documents.
According to the ministry, the man is in South Africa legally.
officials met with the man in the video to offer support and urged Ghanaians abroad to remain law-abiding. Ghana's High Commission in South Africa shared a video of top envoy Benjamin Quashie meeting the man and advising him to respect local rules. Ghana's Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa spoke with South African counterpart Ronald Lamola, who promised a full investigation and expressed empathy for the victims.
South Africa's acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia condemned the acts, stating that no individual or group has the authority to take the law into their own hands.
urged its citizens in South Africa to exercise caution after reports of violent protests in cities including Cape Town, Durban, and East London, now known as KuGompo City. The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission reported incidents of looting, property damage, and injuries during these demonstrations.
South Africa hosts about 2.4 million migrants, representing just under 4% of its population, according to official figures, with many more believed to be present unofficially. Most migrants come from neighboring countries such as Lesotho, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique, with smaller numbers from Nigeria.
like Operation Dudula and March on March have protested against migrants, blaming them for social issues including unemployment and drug abuse. These groups have held demonstrations in major cities, some of which have turned violent and led to attacks on foreign-owned shops.
