President Mahama breaks silence on xenophobic attacks on Ghanaians in South Africa

President John Mahama has criticised the response of South African authorities to recent xenophobic attacks, saying their actions appeared insufficient in protecting affected foreign nationals.

According to him, the situation left many displaced foreigners vulnerable, including nearly 200 Ghanaians who were forced to seek refuge at Ghana’s embassy for safety.

Speaking at Chatham House in London on June 1, 2026, President Mahama explained that Ghana had to step in after its citizens were targeted in parts of South Africa, including Durban and surrounding areas.

“It didn’t look like the South African authorities were doing anything to try to quell what was happening and also to provide protection to those who had been displaced,” Mahama said.

He also described a tense and hostile environment in which foreigners were even denied basic access to healthcare facilities.

Registration of Ghanaians seeking evacuation from SA temporarily suspended

“There were even forays into health institutions and if you were not South African you were asked to leave the hospital even if you were ill,” he said.

President Mahama noted that the situation escalated to the point where many Ghanaians had no option but to seek safety at the embassy, with numbers reaching about 200 at its peak.

He added that the apparent lack of intervention from South African authorities compelled Ghana to organise an evacuation of its citizens.

“We had no option but to evacuate our citizens,” he said, adding that one evacuation flight had already been completed, while two additional flights would be arranged for those who still wish to return home voluntarily.

He urged South Africa to address the root causes of the violence rather than leave foreign nationals unprotected.

From Chatham House, London, uk 🇬🇧 H.E John Dramani Mahama @JDMahama on Xenophobic attacks on Ghanaians and other Africans living in South Africa 🇿🇦 .#SayNo2Xenophobia#ChathamHouseUk pic.twitter.com/aMrWb1O3YM

— Aristotlektv (@aristotledada) June 1, 2026