Today in 2015: Ghanaians in South Africa appeal to gov’t to evacuate them

Today marks exactly five years when some Ghanaians in South Africa appealed to the government to evacuate them due to xenophobic attacks in South Africa.

The Ghanaian community made the appeal to the former president, John Dramani Mahama-led administration as they claimed little was done by the then Ghana High Commission in South Africa to support them.

Ghanaians and other African nationals were heavily attacked and brutalized by South Africans, as they (South Africans) claimed they have taken over their jobs in their own country.

Heartbreaking visuals of the attacks trended on social media platforms.

In the wake of the deadly coronavirus, Ghanaians and other African nationals in Guangzhou, China are facing discrimination and attacks because of their African origin, under the guise that, they are infected by the virus and are infecting the Chinese people.

They have been denied access to their apartments, hotels, and restaurants leaving them with no other choice but to sleep on the streets.

Viral videos on social media showed Ghanaians ‘crying and begging’ the government to come to their aid, mainly by evacuating them from the country.

The Foreign Ministry condemned the 'racial targeting’ and have summoned Shi Ting Wang, the Chinese Ambassador to Ghana to call for immediate action by his government and officials.

Read the original story published by Rainbow Radio on April 17, 2015

An appeal has been made to the Government of Ghana headed by his Excellency President John Dramani Mahama to as a matter of urgency evacuate the thousands of Ghanaians domiciled in South Africa.

Some members of the Ghanaian Community in that Country who expressed fear and frustration said their lives are in danger due to attacks by locals.

The International media has since Monday reported of xenophobic attacks by some youth of South Africa on other African Nationals in some parts of the country.

The reason for the attacks is that foreigners seeking greener pastures have taken over their jobs.

Speaking to Kwame Tutu, breakfast show host of Rainbow Radio 87.5FM from Johannesburg, a number of Ghanaians who said they have gathered and locked themselves up in one house, made a passionate appeal to the government to help get them out of the country.

Asked if they have tried contacting the Ghana High Commission in South Africa, the Ghanaians caught in the troubles said little is done by the Commission to support Ghanaians who find themselves in any kind of trouble.

Heart wrenching photos and videos of the attacks are trending on various social media platforms.