The SEWA Foundation Ghana has called for national unity, restraint, and compassionate leadership in response to growing xenophobic tensions reported in parts of Africa, urging Ghanaians to resist exclusionary rhetoric and uphold Pan-African solidarity.
President of the Foundation, Mr. Jones Owusu Yeboah, who leads the organisation focused on human trafficking, migration, and diaspora affairs, said the recent incidents of violence targeting foreign nationals in some African countries should prompt deeper reflection on migration policies and regional cooperation.
He stressed that foreign-owned businesses play a critical role in economic development, describing them as contributors to job creation, innovation, and market expansion.
“Foreign-owned businesses are not threats; they are catalysts,” Mr. Yeboah said.
“They create jobs, stimulate local commerce, and inject vital expertise into our national development.
Any policy that targets these individuals risks destabilising our economic growth.”
The Foundation also commended the Government of Ghana for its swift evacuation of Ghanaian nationals from affected areas in South Africa, describing the intervention as a demonstration of responsible and mature leadership.
Mr. Yeboah further highlighted Ghana’s emerging continental role, referencing the country’s leadership trajectory within the African Union, and called for Ghana to set an example in promoting inclusion and peaceful coexistence.
“The incoming AU leadership must set an example,” he noted. “Instead of retaliating or expelling South African nationals residing in Ghana, we must use our authority to enforce security and promote unity.”
He also issued a message to young people, urging them to reject retaliation and embrace cooperation and integration as tools for national and continental progress.
“We know that foreigners are partners in building nations,” he said. “To lash out is to tear down the very fabric of our progress.”
The SEWA Foundation said it will continue to advocate for migration policies that prioritise human rights, social stability, and development across Africa.
