Ghanaians not safe in South Africa – Community leader raises alarm over Xenophobic attacks

The Chairman of the Ghanaian Community in Mthatha, South Africa, Dr Yirenyi Gyekye Darko, has raised fresh concerns over the safety of Ghanaians living in the country, warning that many remain vulnerable amid growing tensions against foreign nationals.

Speaking on Eyewitness News on Wednesday, April 22, Dr Darko said that although there have been periods of calm in some areas, the general situation remains uncertain, with underlying hostility towards foreigners still a major concern.

“Ghanaians are not safe. Other nationals, especially Nigerians and Zimbabweans, are also not safe. We are only trusting God for protection. For now, in the Eastern Cape, it is not as extreme as in other provinces, and there has not been recent harassment in Mthatha. But generally, the situation remains worrying,” he stated.

He explained that resentment towards foreigners is often driven by perceptions that they are taking jobs meant for locals, a narrative he described as the main source of tension.

“The only reason they give is that foreigners are taking their jobs. That is the main point of contention,” he added.

Dr Darko further called on Ghanaian authorities to engage their counterparts in South Africa to address the situation and ensure the safety of citizens abroad.

“We urge officials in Ghana to liaise with the High Commissioner in South Africa so that together they can help bring the situation under control,” he appealed.

His concerns come in the wake of a viral video circulating on social media, showing a South African woman leading a group of youth to confront a Ghanaian resident, accusing him of overstaying and demanding that foreigners return to their home countries.

In widely shared footage, the woman is heard expressing frustration about intra-African migration, insisting that Africans should remain in their home countries to build them rather than relocate in search of better opportunities.

Meanwhile, Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has called for a full-scale investigation into reported xenophobic incidents targeting Ghanaians in South Africa, following the circulation of the disturbing video.