Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, has revealed that Ghana is considering legal action against South Africa over xenophobic attacks targeted at its citizens.
Ablakwa stressed that the government see the xenophobic attacks beyond the evacuation and safety of affected citizens.
He disclosed that individuals who lost properties and livelihoods over the xenophobic attacks deserve justice and compensation.
Ablakwa disclosed that Ghana has formally communicated its position to South African authorities and expects concrete measures to be taken.
Speaking on Joy FM on Saturday, June 6, Ablakwa said, “We are also considering formal legal action in competent international courts on this matter. We have made it clear that the matter does not end with the evacuation of Ghanaians. There has to be accountability and there has to be a price to pay.
“We have told the South Africans that we expect them to take responsibility and compensate our nationals. The only action we have seen on their part is with the Ghanaians who were hospitalised. They approached us that they are willing to take care of the medical bills.”
Meanwhile, President John Mahama has said Ghana’s diplomatic relations with South Africa remain strong despite the recent xenophobic attacks leading to Ghanaians being evacuated.
According to John Mahama, there has been no breach in our relations with South Africa.
Speaking at Chatham House in London, during his five-day official visit to the United Kingdom, President Mahama stated, “We do not have any breach in our diplomatic relations. What happened was that it’s not the first time there have been these xenophobic attacks in South Africa”.
“They say we shouldn’t call it xenophobia. I don’t know what else or what name you can give it. But there have been these surges in anti-foreign attacks.”
“Lately, Ghanaians have gotten involved. This is the first time we’ve really had Ghanaians getting a part of the direction of attacks,” he said.
He added, “And if you were not South African, you were asked to leave the hospital. Even if you were ill, it created a very toxic atmosphere. At this point, we had nearly 200 of our citizens in our embassy”.
“It didn’t look like the South African authorities were doing anything to try to quell what was happening and also to provide protection to those who had been displaced,” he said.
“And so we did the first evacuation flight. We’re going to do two more to take those who want to leave. It is voluntary. We asked, “Do you want to stay or leave?” And many of them say they feel threatened. And so they want to leave.”
President Mahama further added, “I think it’s unfortunate what is happening in South Africa. We need to drill down to what causes these flare-ups in terms of xenophobia. And so all of us must empathise with South Africa or must sympathise with South Africa”.
“And we must help South Africa to be able to drill down and find out what it can do to reduce unemployment rates amongst the black populations. After the last fellow African leaves, is it going to change unemployment among blacks in South Africa?” he asked.
“After the last shop has been closed and everybody has left, will it change unemployment in South Africa? And everybody brings some advantage. They either bring their knowledge or they bring investments,” he said.
“And I think we should get over this fear of foreigners coming into our countries.”
Akufo-Addo all cool and calm at Frema Opare and Godfred Dame’s birthday party#GHNow pic.twitter.com/QutoPBiS1u
— GHnow (@ghnow_) June 5, 2026
