Ghanaians returning from South Africa following renewed xenophobic attacks will receive GH¢20 million in financial support from MTN Ghana. The company’s Board Chairman, Dr Ishmael Yamson, disclosed this while speaking to the media on Thursday, August 20.

According to him, MTN Ghana had initially planned to raise GH¢10 million to support the returnees; however, it realised that such an amount would not go a long way in helping the victims. “We will do it. We’ll do it in a big way. We’ll do it in a way that will make more meaning,” he said.

MTN Ghana has dismissed allegations that it supported the ongoing xenophobic attacks in South Africa.

“I condemn it. I completely dissociate MTN Ghana from it. We have nothing to do with it. One thing that maybe has not been visible is what we have done to support,” he added.

So far, Ghana has lost three individuals to xenophobic attacks in South Africa. A 44-year-old father of three, Bashiru Isaac, was fatally shot in Khayelitsha, while Kojo Antwi was killed in Prieska on July 18.

The second victim, Kojo Antwi was killed in Prieska, Northern Cape Province on July 18. In June, the Foreign Ministry noted that the government has secured 120 job opportunities for one hundred and twenty (120) Ghanaian evacuees from South Africa, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced. The Ministry made the disclosure through a statement on Monday, June 1.

According to the statement, the Ministry noted that as part of efforts to support the reintegration of citizens returning home, Ghanaian business owners have been engaged to provide employment opportunities for the evacuees.

The statement further urged more business owners to support the victims during this difficult time.

“So far, we have secured 120 job opportunities from patriotic Ghanaian business owners. Be part of this noble project. We invite Ghanaian CEOs and entrepreneurs desirous of employing Ghanaians returning from South Africa to contact the Delivery Unit of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the statement added.

As part of efforts to safeguard nationals’ investments in South Africa, Ghana’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Benjamin Quashie, has emphasised that there must be “realistic compensation” should the South African government seek to take over such businesses.

Meanwhile, South Africa’s (SA) Foreign Minister, Ronald Lamola, has stated that the current migration-related challenges will not stand in the way of South Africa-Ghana bilateral relations.

During a meeting with President John Dramani Mahama, SA’s Foreign Minister acknowledged concerns raised by Ghana over reports involving harsh treatment against migrants.

However, he noted that the two countries go way back; thus, parting ways now is not the answer.

“There was an agreement between ourselves and Ghana that the current migration-related challenges will not stand in the way of South Africa-Ghana bilateral relations. It does not impact the Ghana-South Africa bilateral relations because South Africa and Ghana have got long enduring challenges, good friendship and relations.

“All countries have got the right to enforce, it’s within the sovereign state to enforce immigration laws but immigration must be regular, must be orderly, in line with the protocols of the AU, of our own SADC. It should not be a disorder immigration,” he said.

Ronald Lamola is a part of the delegation sent by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa to Ghana to engage President John Dramani Mahama on measures to address the recurring xenophobic attacks against foreign nationals in South Africa.

During the meeting, President Mahama expressed concern over the recent attacks and called for a permanent end to such incidents. President Mahama stressed the need to protect the rights and safety of all foreign nationals living in South Africa.

This information was made public by President Mahama when meeting with the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), H.E. Mahamoud Ali Youssou, at the Jubilee House in Accra on Wednesday, July 22.He added, “On, July 21, President Cyril Ramaphosa sent a delegation to me, and I explained the reason why we need to discuss it. Sometimes these things happen, and we want to sweep them under the carpet, but when we do that, we do not cure what the problem is,” he said.

“I told them that Ghana does not harbour any malice against South Africa, but we are raising it so it gives them the platform to explain what they are doing to the world.”