Ghanaian governance analyst has called for renewed African unity following recent xenophobic attacks in South Africa that forced Ghana to evacuate hundreds of its citizens.
Speaking on Dreamz FM’s Breakfast Today program, lecturer and governance analyst Dr. Awineyesema Abiire praised the Ghanaian government for swiftly repatriating about 300 Ghanaians from South Africa, where tensions against foreign nationals have escalated.
“I would say kudos to the president of the republic for the swift action,” Dr Abiire said.
The analyst said xenophobic violence in South Africa is not new, recalling attacks on Zimbabweans and other African nationals in previous years. He argued that the crisis reflects deeper failures in African identity and governance systems.
“We should not see ourselves as Ghanaians, South Africans, Zimbabweans or Togolese,” Dr Abiire said. “We are Africans. That is how we should read and see ourselves.”
Dr Abiire criticized visa and permit requirements among African countries, saying such policies weaken continental unity and undermine the ideals of Pan-Africanism.
“I do not understand why Africans would need visas to go to Africa,” he said.
He blamed colonial-era borders and educational systems for encouraging narrow national identities rather than broader African solidarity.
“Our education systems are not geared toward building us as Africans,” He said. “It is building us as nationals of small countries.”
The lecturer also urged African leaders to strengthen inclusive governance and social cohesion to prevent recurring violence against migrants.
“It is not the entire South Africans who are doing it,” he said. “But once they have weaknesses in their systems and governance, these things do happen.”
Dr Abiire warned against retaliation by other African countries and called on the African Union to take stronger action to address xenophobia across the continent.
The Ghanaian government has announced transportation support, reintegration packages and psychosocial assistance for returnees arriving from South Africa.
