By: Kenneth Appiah Bani
Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has said the government deserves commendation for evacuating more than 1,000 Ghanaians who felt unsafe in South Africa amid reports of xenophobic attacks.
Speaking on The Key Points on TV3 Ghana, the minister defended the government’s response to the situation, stating that decisive action had been taken to protect Ghanaians who feared for their safety.
According to Ablakwa, the evacuation exercise was undertaken to ensure that citizens who felt threatened could return home safely.
“As a government, we must be commended for the decisive action we took in evacuating over 1,000 Ghanaians who felt unsafe in South Africa,” he stated.
The minister’s comments come amid concerns over the safety and welfare of foreign nationals in South Africa following reports of xenophobic attacks and hostility towards migrants.
Ablakwa also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to protecting Ghanaians living abroad, stressing that the safety and well-being of citizens remain a priority.
He indicated that the government remained open to assisting other Ghanaians who may wish to return home because of the situation.
The evacuation forms part of the government’s response to concerns raised by Ghanaians affected by the developments in South Africa.
Meanwhile, the situation has renewed attention on the need to protect foreign nationals from violence and ensure that disputes involving migration are addressed without threats to human life and safety.
