Ghana-South Africa Business Chamber condemns xenophobic attacks on Ghanaians, Africans

The Ghana–South Africa Business Chamber has condemned the recent acts of violence and outright disrespect for human rights perpetrated by South Africans against Ghanaians and other African nationals.

It said those incidents had generated widespread anxiety, anger, and distress among Ghanaians both home and abroad, and that the concerns being expressed by citizens, community groups, and affected families were understandable, given the longstanding friendship, solidarity, and shared history that Ghana and South Africa had enjoyed over decades.

"We stand in unwavering solidarity with all victims of xenophobic attacks and extend our sympathies to affected families, businesses, and communities. We also reaffirm our commitment to working with governments, diplomatic missions, business leaders, and civil society organisations to promote tolerance, peaceful coexistence, and stronger people-to-people relations between Ghana and South Africa," the statement read.

This was contained in a statement issued today, June 16, by the chamber.

The chamber said traditionally, Ghanaians had viewed South Africa not only as a strategic economic partner but also as a sister African nation with which they shared common aspirations for continental unity, prosperity, and development.

Troubling

It said it was, therefore, deeply troubling when fellow Africans became targets of hostility, discrimination, or violence based solely on their nationality or origin.

While expressing concern, the chamber urged all stakeholders to remain calm and conduct themselves peacefully.

"We strongly discourage retaliation, inflammatory rhetoric, or actions that may further strain the longstanding relations between the people of Ghana and South Africa. Constructive engagement, respect for the rule of law, and continued diplomatic dialogue remain the most effective means of addressing these challenges," the statement added.

The statement said the chamber believed that xenophobia had no place in Africa and that the future of the continent depended on greater cooperation, integration, and mutual respect among its people.

It commended the government for engaging the South African authorities through diplomatic channels and urged that those engagements continued with the urgency and seriousness the situation demanded.

It said the chamber, on its part, had engaged with the South Africa High Commission in Ghana, calling on the mission to ensure that the Government of South Africa took all necessary measures to protect vulnerable communities, ensure the safety of foreign nationals, and bring perpetrators of the xenophobic attacks to justice in accordance with the laws of South Africa.