Minority Demands Urgent Parliamentary Briefing on South Africa Evacuation and Alleged Xenophobic Attacks
The Minority Caucus in Parliament has called on the Minister for Foreign Affairs to urgently appear before the House and provide a comprehensive briefing on the reported evacuation of Ghanaians from South Africa amid alleged xenophobic attacks.
Addressing journalists in Parliament on Wednesday, the Member of Parliament for Okaikwei Central, Patrick Yaw Boamah, said lawmakers must be fully informed about the circumstances surrounding the evacuation exercise and the welfare of thousands of Ghanaians who remain in South Africa.
According to him, reports suggest that approximately 300 Ghanaians have been evacuated despite more than 1,500 nationals reportedly registering for assistance. He questioned the government’s plans for those still stranded and called for greater transparency on the matter.
“We know between 25,000 and 30,000 Ghanaians are living in South Africa. If over 1,500 registered and only about 300 have been evacuated, what is happening to the rest?” Mr. Boamah asked.
He stressed that Ghana and South Africa have enjoyed decades of strong diplomatic and economic relations and cautioned against any actions that could undermine the longstanding partnership between the two countries.
The Okaikwei Central legislator highlighted the significant contributions of South African investments to Ghana’s economy, particularly in the telecommunications, banking, and mining sectors, emphasizing the need for diplomacy and constructive engagement rather than public exchanges that could heighten tensions.
Mr. Boamah further noted that statements issued by Ghanaian and South African authorities appeared to offer differing accounts of the situation, making it imperative for Parliament to receive firsthand information from the Foreign Affairs Minister.
He argued that Members of Parliament would be better positioned to support government efforts if they were adequately briefed on developments.
“Diplomacy has nothing to do with propaganda or mischief. If there are concerns from South Africa regarding migration issues, and if Ghana also has concerns, Parliament should be informed so that we can contribute to resolving the matter,” he stated.
The Minority warned against allowing the issue to damage the cordial relationship between Ghana and South Africa, describing the latter as a key partner with strong economic and people-to-people ties to Ghana.
Mr. Boamah noted that many Ghanaians occupy important positions in South African institutions, municipalities, financial institutions, and other sectors, making it crucial for both governments to handle the matter with care and sensitivity.
He therefore urged parliamentary leadership and the Speaker to facilitate the Minister’s appearance before the House as a matter of urgency, arguing that relying solely on routine parliamentary procedures could delay critical action.
“This is a very important national issue. We do not want a situation where diplomatic relations are unnecessarily strained. The Minister should come before Parliament and brief the representatives of the people,” he said.
The Minority maintained that any concerns or disagreements between Ghana and South Africa should be addressed through established diplomatic channels, including direct engagement between President John Dramani Mahama and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.
Mr. Boamah expressed confidence that intensified diplomatic efforts would help safeguard the interests of Ghanaian nationals in South Africa while preserving the strong bilateral relations that have existed between the two countries for many years.
Source: Felix NYAABA//ExpressNewsGhana.com
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