Ghana Presses South Africa to Act After Reported Xenophobic Attacks

Ghana’s Foreign Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has lodged a formal protest with his South African counterpart after widely shared videos purportedly showing xenophobic assaults on Ghanaian nationals sparked outrage online. Calling the footage “extremely disturbing,” Ablakwa pressed South African authorities to act swiftly.

“The South African Foreign Minister has expressed empathy with the victims and promised full-scale investigations into these depressing incidents,” Ablakwa said on social media. He added that diplomats at Ghana’s mission have tracked down the primary victim seen in the viral clip and are now providing consular support.

Ablakwa also noted that the South African government intends to convene briefings with African ambassadors in response to the reported xenophobic attacks.