Migration tensions won't derail Ghana-South Africa ties - Ronald Lamola assures

South Africa's Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, has sought to allay the fears of persons who anticipate a strained relationship between Ghana and South Africa due to recent migration-related tensions.

Speaking after visiting Ghana as a special envoy, Lamola said both governments were united in ensuring that recent developments surrounding migration do not overshadow decades of cooperation and friendship.

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During the visit, he delivered a message from President Ramaphosa to President John Dramani Mahama and held discussions on matters of mutual interest, including concerns raised by Ghana over the treatment of some of its citizens living in South Africa.

According to Lamola, the engagement reaffirmed the commitment of both countries to preserve their strong bilateral relations despite the challenges.

“There was an agreement between ourselves and Ghana that the current migration-related challenges will not stand in the way of South Africa-Ghana bilateral relations. It does not impact the Ghana-South Africa bilateral relations because South Africa and Ghana have long-enduring challenges, good friendship and relations,” he said.

He noted that the discussions also created an opportunity for South Africa to explain its approach to migration management, stressing that while every country has the sovereign right to enforce its immigration laws, such enforcement must respect international and regional protocols.

“All countries have the right to enforce; it’s within the right of a sovereign state to enforce immigration laws, but immigration must be regular, must be orderly, in line with the protocols of the AU, of our own SADC. It should not be a disorderly immigration,” he added.

Lamola further acknowledged the concerns expressed by the Ghanaian government regarding reports involving migrants in South Africa, but emphasised that frustrations over irregular migration should never justify unlawful actions against foreign nationals.

He condemned all forms of vigilantism and maintained that the South African government does not condone attacks or any form of mistreatment directed at migrants.

The minister added that authorities remain committed to investigating such incidents and ensuring that anyone found culpable of violating the law is held accountable.

NA/VPO