President John Dramani Mahama has expressed his condemnation of the recent xenophobic attacks in South Africa, characterizing these incidents as a setback to Africa’s enduring aspirations for unity, integration, and shared prosperity.
His remarks come in response to reports of attacks targeting Ghanaians and other African nationals in South Africa, which have necessitated the evacuation of approximately 300 Ghanaians back to their homeland.
During a town hall meeting in London on Sunday, May 31, President Mahama voiced his concerns regarding these developments, stating that they undermine efforts to strengthen cooperation among African nations and promote continental development.
He emphasized that Africa’s progress hinges on collaboration among its countries rather than isolation.
“We have consistently advocated for African unity, and it is disheartening to witness some of the occurrences on the continent. No African country can achieve the level of progress it requires without collaborating with other nations. Achieving it in isolation is not possible,” he stated.
President Mahama underscored the necessity for African countries to continue working together to advance economic growth and development, noting that the continent’s future is intrinsically linked to greater integration and cooperation.
He cited the establishment of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as an illustration of efforts aimed at facilitating the free movement of people, goods, and services across the continent.
“That is why we enacted AfCFTA, to enable our people to move freely among themselves,” he added.
The President urged African countries to remain steadfast in their commitment to the ideals of unity and solidarity, emphasizing the need for stronger cooperation to achieve the continent’s development objectives.
His remarks come as Ghana continues its efforts to support citizens affected by the unrest in South Africa, with hundreds already evacuated through a government-led operation coordinated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ghana’s diplomatic mission in Pretoria.
