The Deputy Ranking Member on Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, Nana Asafo-Adjei Ayeh, is calling for stronger diplomatic action against South Africa following recent xenophobic attacks targeting foreign nationals, including Ghanaians, and says justice must be pursued for those affected.
Speaking in an interview on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen shortly after the arrival of 300 evacuated Ghanaians from South Africa on Wednesday, the Bosome Freho MP urged African leaders and the African Union to take firmer action to address what he described as a recurring and deeply troubling pattern of violence.
He said the situation can no longer be treated as a routine diplomatic issue, arguing that stronger measures are needed to send a clear message.
“When this issue started, I was even calling for the closure of some of the embassies so that it would demonstrate to South Africans that this thing is unbecoming,” he said.
Mr Ayeh warned that failure to act decisively could embolden further attacks on foreign nationals.
“I won’t be surprised if we wake up one day and they apprehend all foreign nationals, put them in a room and set it ablaze,” he cautioned.
He stressed that African countries, including Ghana, played a significant role in supporting South Africa during the apartheid struggle and therefore deserve better treatment.
“The freedom South Africa is enjoying, they didn’t get it alone. We all fought for it. Ghana just didn’t fight; we even supported with our money,” he noted.
The lawmaker also accused some South African politicians of taking advantage of anti-foreigner sentiments for political gain.
“The individual politicians involved are making political campaign promises with it to embolden their base, so they are not able to deal with it as they should,” he said.
Mr Ayeh further expressed concern over viral videos allegedly showing attacks taking place in the presence of police officers without intervention.
“You sometimes see videos with police present but doing nothing about the attacks. So it tells you clearly that the South African government itself cannot deal with the issue,” he added.
He argued that African leaders must collectively adopt tougher diplomatic measures to press South Africa to act.
“We must pick the venom and tell South Africa that we are not happy,” he said.
The MP also urged the African Union to consider continental resolutions and legal avenues to seek justice for victims.
He said Ghana should properly document cases involving affected citizens and, where necessary, pursue compensation and justice through international legal channels.
“If we are able to document our evidence well and put all the facts together, we can pursue this case at the international court,” he noted.
Mr Ayeh stressed that victims who lost their livelihoods and property deserve more than repatriation support, insisting that full justice and compensation should also be considered.
“Any Ghanaian who suffered any loss and now has to start from ground zero, a reparation package alone is not enough for such a person. You must let him have justice beyond bringing me back home,” he added.