A member of the New Patriotic Party’s communications team in the Upper East Region has praised the government for evacuating Ghanaians affected by xenophobic tensions in South Africa, while criticizing the African Union for what he described as its failure to respond adequately to attacks on African migrants.
Dr. Samuel Akonga said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs deserved commendation for facilitating the return of hundreds of Ghanaians and issuing travel advisories to citizens planning trips to South Africa.
Speaking on Dreamz FM’s Breakfast Today program, Dr Akonga said travel advisories are a standard diplomatic practice used by governments worldwide to protect their citizens from security threats.
He, however, expressed concern about recurring xenophobic attacks against foreign nationals in South Africa and questioned the effectiveness of the African Union in addressing the issue.
According to him, African countries made significant sacrifices in support of South Africa’s liberation struggle, making the continued targeting of African migrants particularly troubling.
Dr Akonga also called on the Ghanaian government to take a firmer stance in defending the interests of its citizens and businesses amid tensions involving South Africa.
He argued that unemployment and economic hardship across Africa continue to drive migration, underscoring the need for governments to create more opportunities for young people at home.
