'Very painful' – Ablakwa on trauma of Ghanaians evacuated from SA amid xenophobic attacks

Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has described the experience of Ghanaians affected by xenophobic attacks in South Africa as “very painful”, saying some citizens returned home traumatised after losing their shops, assets and livelihoods.

Speaking in an interview with BBC Africa on July 29, 2026, Ablakwa said Ghana’s foreign policy tradition of friendship with all countries and commitment to peaceful dialogue had made the situation particularly difficult to handle.

He said Ghana had always pursued peaceful solutions to international challenges but admitted that the experiences of affected citizens had been deeply distressing.

“I must say that being the Foreign Minister of Ghana, celebrated for pursuing the foreign policy of friends of all, enemies to none, being founders of the Non-Aligned Movement, we are eternal pacifists who always believe in dialogue.

“It's been a very painful period, I have to admit, with lost citizens, people who have returned traumatized, they've lost their assets, their shops, things they've worked for, their life savings. It's been very, very difficult for me, receiving them at the airports, carrying children who've left their education behind", he stated.

Ablakwa further questioned why South African authorities had been unable to stop the attacks despite the perpetrators allegedly being identified.

2 Ghanaians killed in renewed xenophobic attacks in SA - Foreign Affairs Minister

“It is difficult for me to appreciate, and as President Mahama has said, that the entire South African police force, the armed forces of South Africa, I mean, why are they helpless? Why is it that this has been going on for months? The perpetrators are known,” he stated.

He said that although those leading the movements and individuals involved in acts of violence were known, no arrests have been made.

“I mean, the leaders of this March and March and the Doula Movements, and they are known. And those who are looting, who are killing, and who are maiming are known. "I'm not aware that so far there’s been a single arrest," he said.

Ablakwa said the situation was unfortunate for a country that has benefited from African solidarity and plays a major role in continental affairs.

“We think it’s really unfortunate because, I mean, for a country that hosts the Pan-African Parliament, you know, a country that has benefited from African solidarity, that should be the epitome of Pan-Africanism,” he noted.

The Foreign Affairs Minister stressed that concerns over migration should be addressed through dialogue and within the framework of African unity.

“We talk about African integration, we talk about free movement. I mean, what is the AU Charter about? You know, even if you have issues with high immigration, is this how to go about it? Is this how to resolve it?” he quizzed.

Ablakwa also said the attacks had affected Ghana’s relationship with South Africa, as the government continued to monitor developments and support affected citizens.

The government has since evacuated more than 1,900 citizens from South Africa following the anti-migrant protests and xenophobic violence.

The exercise, coordinated by the Ghana High Commission through chartered special flights, also included arrival assistance and reintegration support for affected returnees.

JKB/VPO

Scenes from the funeral grounds of late Apostle Kwadwo Safo Kantanka