Coalition of Concerned Youth (CCY) Condemns Xenophobic Attacks in South Africa

The Coalition of Concerned Youth (CCY) is deeply disheartened by the recurring xenophobic violence in South Africa targeting foreign nationals. We condemn the repeated attacks on foreign businesses and individuals, including harassment and assaults, particularly against Ghanaians and Nigerians.

Speaking at a press conference, the Executive Director of CCY, Mr. Richard Boakye Mensah, stated that while President Cyril Ramaphosa’s condemnation of violent protests and criminal acts against foreign nationals is noted, it is not enough. The South African government must arrest and prosecute the perpetrators to demonstrate genuine commitment to ending xenophobia.

We are calling on the African Union (AU) and ECOWAS to urgently summon South African authorities over attacks on African nationals, and to impose sanctions before other countries take similar action.

We appeal to the Government of Ghana and Parliament to speak out strongly and caution South African youth to desist from these acts, before Ghanaian citizens are forced to take the law into their own hands.

We further urge the Government and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to immediately begin the deportation of South African nationals residing illegally in Ghana, including those with expired visas or who have overstayed their permits. They must leave our country without delay.

While we commend the government for evacuating 300 Ghanaians from South Africa, with over 800 more expected to return home, we welcome our brothers and sisters back home. We also issue a stern caution to the South African government to recall its nationals from Ghana.

South African companies make enormous profits in Ghana daily – companies such as MTN, MultiChoice/DStv, AngloGold Ashanti, Shoprite, Standard Bank, SABMiller, and many others. We therefore appeal to government to review and, if necessary, terminate their operating contracts and ask them to exit Ghana. Ghanaians are capable of managing our own affairs and building our economy.

South Africans are not more human than any other Africans. As Ghanaian youth, we stand in solidarity with our Nigerian brothers and sisters. We plead with government to commence the deportation of South African nationals without valid documents by the end of June, before our frustration and anger boil over.

We do not want to resort to lawlessness. We are simply asking South Africa to allow its nationals to leave peacefully.

*Signed:*

Mr. Richard Boakye Mensah

Executive Director, Coalition of Concerned Youth (CCY)

*Contact* 0200262790/0257477677