Ghana’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Benjamin Quashie, has assured that no Ghanaian remains in police custody following anti-immigration demonstrations that took place across parts of South Africa on Tuesday, June 30.
Speaking on Eyewitness News on Citi FM, Mr. Quashie said the Ghana High Commission had been closely monitoring developments since the early hours of the day and had intervened to secure the release of all Ghanaians who were temporarily detained by law enforcement officers.
“We’ve been monitoring the situation since 6 a.m. this morning. A couple of Ghanaians were arrested and all of them, I can confidently tell you, have been released through the intervention of our consular officers,” he said.
According to him, some of those detained were stopped by police during immigration checks and asked to produce identification documents. Once they identified themselves as Ghanaians, the authorities contacted the High Commission to verify their nationality.
Mr. Quashie explained that there is an existing arrangement between the Ghana High Commission and South African law enforcement agencies requiring authorities to consult the mission whenever a Ghanaian national is detained.
“The agreement is that if any Ghanaian is arrested, the authorities should first confirm with us. We verify whether the individual is indeed Ghanaian and advise accordingly,” he stated.
His comments come as anti-immigration protests intensified in several South African cities, including Pretoria, where hundreds of demonstrators marched through the city centre demanding stricter enforcement of immigration laws.
The demonstrations have heightened fears among migrant communities, prompting some foreign nationals to remain indoors or relocate temporarily over concerns about their safety.
Despite the tensions, the High Commissioner said the mission had not received reports of widespread attacks against Ghanaians.
He disclosed that only one Ghanaian had been caught up in an incident during the protests after ignoring advice from the High Commission to remain indoors.
“The only case we recorded involved a Ghanaian who admitted that he left his accommodation to visit his shop despite our advice. Unfortunately, protesters confronted him,” Mr. Quashie said.
Apart from that incident, he stressed that no Ghanaian-owned property had been destroyed and no Ghanaian had been injured or caught in the crossfire of the demonstrations.
The Ghana High Commission has continued to urge Ghanaian nationals in South Africa to remain vigilant, avoid unnecessary movement, and comply with safety directives while authorities monitor the evolving security situation.
The mission is also preparing to undertake another voluntary repatriation exercise next week for Ghanaians who wish to return home amid the growing anti-immigration tensions.
