The Minority Caucus on Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee has criticised the government over the postponement of the planned evacuation of Ghanaians from South Africa, describing the development as troubling and a sign of poor handling of the situation.
In a statement issued on May 22, the Ranking Member on the Foreign Affairs Committee and Member of Parliament for Damongo, Samuel Abu Jinapor, said the delay has raised serious concerns about the government’s preparedness and response to the safety of Ghanaians living in South Africa amid renewed xenophobic tensions.
According to the Minority, recent reports of intimidation and attacks against foreign nationals in South Africa created fear among many Ghanaians, leading hundreds of them to register with Ghana’s High Commission in Pretoria in anticipation of evacuation and support from the government.
The caucus said it had consistently called for swift and coordinated action from the moment reports of the attacks emerged, stressing that protecting Ghanaian citizens abroad remains a fundamental responsibility of the state.
“It is disappointing that after the announcements, assurances and public statements, we are now being told that the exercise has been postponed due to legal and logistical requirements,” the statement said.
The Minority argued that such logistical and legal concerns should have been addressed before public commitments were made about the evacuation exercise.
The caucus further stated that the postponement highlights broader concerns about the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ handling of citizen protection and foreign affairs matters.
According to the statement, government must treat the situation with greater urgency, noting that behind every number is a Ghanaian citizen and family seeking safety and reassurance.
The Minority therefore called on government to provide regular updates to affected citizens and the public while ensuring that all necessary measures are taken to protect the welfare and dignity of Ghanaians living abroad.
