The Ghanaian High Commissioner to South Africa, Benjamin Anani Quashie, has described the ongoing xenophobic attacks as politically driven and expressed grave concerns about the safety of Ghanaian citizens.
The diplomat characterised the situation on the ground as fluid and unpredictable for foreign nationals.
He confirmed that the Ghanaian Foreign Ministry had been working tirelessly to provide consular assistance to those caught in the crossfire of the recent riots.
Disturbing footage from the streets of Johannesburg and Durban has circulated widely across social media, showing groups of local citizens taking the law into their own hands and demanding the removal of African nationals.
His Excellency noted that the violence spread rapidly from its origins in Durban to the economic hub of Sandton.
This escalation occurred despite previous high level summits that had suggested a stable environment for foreign investors and residents.
The High Commissioner highlighted several incidents in which mobs stormed medical facilities to forcibly remove non-South African patients.
He specifically cited a case where a pregnant woman was evicted from a hospital during a time of critical medical need.
These acts were described as inhuman by the Ghanaian envoy.
He emphasised that such conduct directly contradicts the spirit of pan-Africanism that once united the continent against historical oppression.
Quashie stated that South African authorities had failed to make meaningful arrests despite clear evidence of criminal activity.
He suggested that political undertones may be hindering the swift enforcement of the law against known perpetrators.
According to him, the police agencies explained that there are political motives.
“Nobody has been arrested. They tell us there are political undertones; they are doing what they have to do, and once they are done, they will effect arrests.”
Benjamin Quashie, High Commissioner of Ghana to South Africa
Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs subsequently summoned the South African High Commissioner to demand more decisive action.
This followed a series of statements from Pretoria that lacked visible follow-through on the ground.
The High Commissioner argued that mere condemnation of these acts is insufficient without the enforcement of justice.
He stressed that the effectiveness of any government directive depends on its implementation and the arrest of offenders.
The Chairperson of the African Union and the ECOWAS group of ambassadors also issued communiqués addressing the deteriorating security situation.
They called on the South African government to demonstrate the political will needed to end the recurring cycle of violence.
“The sort of things that are happening there are inhuman, and we believe that this is not what we are supposed to do to our fellow brothers or sisters.”
Benjamin Quashie, High Commissioner of Ghana to South Africa
His Excellency, Benjamin Anani Quashie reminded the public that many African nations sacrifised their development to support South Africa during the apartheid struggle.
He lamented that the current generation appears to have forgotten this shared history of solidarity.
One Ghanaian victim featured in a viral video was successfully relocated to Ghana under the supervision of the High Commissioner. He arrived together with the Commissioner and is expected to reunite with his family while awaiting further government directives.
Quashie Presses Pretoria For Action As Diplomatic Pressure Intensifies
The diplomatic community in Pretoria has expressed growing frustration over the lack of progress in protecting immigrants.
High Commissioner Benjamin Anani Quashie has joined other heads of mission in calling on the South African Police Service to act with greater urgency.
The recurring nature of these attacks suggests a systemic failure to address the root causes of xenophobia.
Quashie noted that such incidents have occurred over many years without a lasting solution from the host government.
He explained that sustained pressure from individual countries and international organisations is intended to force a shift in strategy.
According to him, Ghana’s current response is more robust than previous interventions.
Although the South African government has maintained that it is doing its best through local law enforcement, the High Commissioner observed that the continued presence of mobs on the streets tells a different story.
The Ghanaian Commissioner to South Africa also met with the Dean of the African Diplomatic Corps to coordinate a unified response. This effort seeks to ensure that the human rights of all African nationals are protected.
He stressed that migration management is the responsibility of state institutions.
The High Commissioner noted that Africa’s future depends on peaceful coexistence among its nations.
He urged South African authorities to remember the solidarity the continent showed during their darkest period.
The Ghanaian mission remains on high alert as reports of further demonstrations emerge in several residential areas.
Staff have been directed to maintain close contact with Ghanaian associations and provide updates on safe zones and emergency protocols.
The Commissioner is also scheduled to meet with Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister on Thursday to discuss the long-term welfare of returnees.
The meeting will also consider the possibility of further evacuations if the security situation deteriorates.
He emphasised that the African Union provides clear directives for the protection of all persons on the continent and expressed hope that sustained international pressure will lead to the prosecution of those responsible.
The High Commissioner reiterated that public education is essential to preventing future attacks. He believes fostering a shared sense of humanity is critical to the continent’s progress.
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