ACCRA, Ghana, 23rd July: President of the Republic of Ghana, H.E. John Dramani Mahama, has stressed that Ghana harbours no ill will toward South Africa but remains deeply concerned about the recurring xenophobic attacks targeting foreign nationals in the country.
Speaking during bilateral talks on the sidelines of the African Union Extraordinary Summit on Health in Accra, President Mahama reiterated Ghana’s call for the African Union (AU) to formally address the escalating attacks at the continental level.
The President said he was encouraged that AU Commission Chairman Mahmoud Ali Youssouf has acknowledged the urgency of the issue and agreed that it should be tabled for discussion at the next AU Summit.
President Mahama disclosed that during a meeting earlier this week with a special envoy dispatched by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa to Accra, he made Ghana’s position on the matter unequivocally clear.
“We do not harbour ill will toward South Africa. However, we remain deeply concerned about the attacks and the significant capital losses suffered by people from various countries on the continent”.
He noted that the attacks undermine the very spirit of African solidarity and threaten the continent’s collective pursuit of integration, unity and shared prosperity.
The President explained that Ghana believes the issue must be confronted openly rather than ignored, which is why the country formally wrote to the AU Commission requesting that it be included on the agenda of the next summit.
“Sweeping this matter under the carpet will not resolve its root causes. That is why Ghana officially wrote to the AU Commission requesting that this issue be placed on the agenda for the next summit”
President Mahama further stated that placing the matter before the African Union would provide South Africa with an opportunity to present its perspective while enabling member states to work collectively towards a sustainable solution.
“Placing this on the AU agenda gives South Africa a formal, constructive platform to share its perspective, and together, as a continent, work toward a lasting solution. Let us remember that our strength as a continent lies in our unity”
He reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to collaborating with all AU member states to safeguard the dignity, security and investments of Africans across the continent.
“Ghana remains committed to working with all AU member states to find lasting solutions that protect the dignity, safety, and investments of every African, everywhere on our continent”
Story by: Emmanuel Romeo Tetteh(#RomeoWrites✍️)/ Presidential Affairs Correspondent | Ghana 🇬🇭
