Ghana’s High Commissioner to South Africa, George Ayisi-Boateng, says it is safe for Ghanaians to travel to the southern African where renewed xenophobic attacks have led to the death of at least five persons.
He said Ghanaians who have genuine business to do in South Africa should not to feel intimidated by the attacks that resurfaced last week in parts of the country and led to the destruction of properties belonging to foreigners.
Though he had on Monday issued a warning to Ghanaian immigrants in that country to exercise extreme caution in light of recent attacks on Africans, he said on a local radio station Wednesday that those seeking to travel to South Africa legitimately should not hesitate.
“If you have something to do genuinely and you have your documents with you don’t feel intimidated by this situation; don’t be afraid,” he on Wednesday, barely two days after asking Ghanaian immigrants there to exercise extreme caution.
He told Accra-based Joy FM Wednesday that though “it is natural” for people travelling to South Africa to be worried about the current situation, “I think the person can come if he has acquired the necessary documentation”.
It comes at a time that Nigeria has withdrawn its vice president Yemi Osinbajo from the World Economic Forum gathering in Cape Town, and the recall of its high commissioner to South Africa.
Rwandan President Paul Kagame and Malawi’s Peter Mutharika have also pulled out of the Forum.
Also, local Nigerian airline, Air Peace, has offered free evacuation for Nigerian immigrants wishing to leave South Africa.
Some angry Nigerians reacted to the situation in South Africa with retaliatory attacks on shops owned by South Africans in Lagos and Ibadan forcing telecom giant MTN and mega retail shop, Shoprite to close their shops in Nigeria.
Despite these developments, Ghana’s High Commissioner said South Africa is safe, noting “As I speak with you, some Ghanaian MPs are here; they are here, they are safe”.
“And then other Ghanaians too have gone to Cape Town for the World Economic Forum. I’ve communicated to somebody like Mr Yoofi Grant and they are safe” Mr Ayisi-Boateng stressed.
Evacuation pre-mature
Asked whether Ghana have plans to evacuate its citizens on the back of escalation of attacks, Mr Ayisi-Boateng said such calls are premature because the need has not arisen.
“When you talk about the contingency measure…when we get to the bridge, we will cross it. For now it is premature to say [we’re] evacuating some people from places looking for shelter for them. When we get a situation where we have to put in contingency measures I will do it; I can assure you of that” he stated.
Ghanaian population in SA
Asked about the the number of Ghanaians in South Africa resident in South Africa, Mr Ayisi-Boateng could not readily give the figure because he was yet to get to his office.
However, per their official record, he said the Ghanaian population in South Africa will not be more than 600.
“On record I don’t think we have more than 600,” he stated but said the number of Ghanaians in that country is huge just that most of them have not yet registered their presence in the country with the High Commission.
Mr Ayisi-Boateng underscored the need for Ghanaians who travel outside Ghana to other countries to always register with Ghana’s high commission or embassy in that country.
By Stephen Kwabena Effah|3news.com|Ghana