President John Dramani Mahama has condemned the recent xenophobic attacks in South Africa, describing them as a setback to Africa’s pursuit of unity, integration, and shared prosperity.
His remarks come amid reports of attacks targeting Ghanaians and other African nationals in South Africa, prompting the evacuation of about 300 Ghanaians through a government-led operation.
Speaking during a town hall meeting in London on Sunday, May 31, President Mahama expressed concern over the incidents, saying they undermine efforts to strengthen cooperation among African countries and advance the continent’s development agenda.
According to him, Africa’s progress depends on collaboration and solidarity among its nations rather than isolation.
“We’ve always pushed for African unity, and so it’s sad to see some of the things that are happening on the continent. There’s no way that any African country can achieve the kind of progress that it needs without working with other countries. We cannot achieve it in isolation,” he stated.
President Mahama stressed the need for African countries to continue working together to promote economic growth and development, noting that the continent’s future is closely tied to deeper integration and cooperation.
He pointed to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as a major step towards fostering the free movement of people, goods, and services across Africa.
“That is why we passed AfCFTA, so that our people can move freely among themselves,” he added.
The President urged African leaders and citizens to remain committed to the ideals of unity and solidarity, emphasizing that stronger cooperation is essential to achieving the continent’s development goals.
His comments come as Ghana continues efforts to assist citizens affected by the unrest in South Africa, with hundreds already evacuated through a coordinated operation involving the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ghana’s diplomatic mission in Pretoria.
