Xenophobia: Ghana considering legal action against South Africa over attacks on nationals – Ablakwa

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has disclosed that Ghana is considering legal action against South Africa following recent attacks on Ghanaian nationals living in the country.

According to him, the government does not believe the matter should end with the evacuation of affected Ghanaians and insists there must be accountability for the harm caused.

Speaking on Joy News' Newsfile on Saturday, June 6, 2026, Ablakwa said Ghana is exploring all available legal avenues, including the possibility of seeking redress through international courts.

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"We are also considering our legal options and do not rule out formal legal action in competent international courts on this matter. So, the South African government, we have made clear that they should not think that the matter ends with us evacuating our nationals. There has to be accountability, and there has to be a price to pay," he said.

The minister stated that Ghana has formally informed South African authorities that it expects compensation for victims of the attacks.

"We have told them, and we have said that we expect that they will take responsibility and compensate our nationals," he stated.

Ablakwa explained that the only concrete step taken so far by South African authorities relates to Ghanaian victims who were hospitalised during the attacks.

He indicated that the South African government has requested to cover the medical bills of Ghanaians who were attacked and assaulted.

"So far, the only movement we have seen on their part is with the Ghanaians who were hospitalised. They have approached us formally that they are willing to take care of the medical bills," he revealed.

He noted, however, that the government is yet to decide whether to accept the offer, adding that consultations with President John Dramani Mahama are still pending.

"I'm yet to have a discussion with the president on that, whether the president will be willing to accept that," he added.

The minister revealed that several victims remain in critical condition, with some still receiving treatment in South Africa.

"Those who were assaulted and vandalised, whose lives, as you know, are at stake in ICUs. We are taking care of the bills for now," he disclosed.

"This is the very latest request that they have made, that they want to compensate. But we've asked that they hold on, so we have discussions," he stated.

Providing an update on the situation, the minister said there are at least 15 serious cases resulting from the attacks, revealing that one Ghanaian woman remains in South Africa because doctors have advised against her evacuation due to her condition.

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"In terms of the attacks, there are at least 15 serious cases, 15 very serious cases. As we speak, there is a lady who we have not been able to evacuate because doctors have advised that she's too fragile; the situation is too precarious for her to be flown out.

“So we have those serious cases. So there is some willingness to compensate when it comes to the harm caused to life and the personal injuries that are occasioned by the attack,” he concluded.



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