The Minority Caucus in Parliament has endorsed the government’s decision to intensify diplomatic pressure on South Africa over the treatment of Ghanaians, including seeking African Union (AU) sanctions.
Speaking on Tuesday, July 7, the Ranking Member of Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, Samuel Abdulai Jinapor, said Ghana’s foreign policy should always prioritize the country’s national interest and the safety of its citizens abroad.
He stated, “All our foreign relations, all our foreign posturing, and the conduct of our foreign policy should be one that promotes the national interest of our country.”
Jinapor said the Minority supports the government’s efforts to safeguard Ghanaians living in South Africa, adding, “So all the measures, or whatever measures our government is taking… to protect Ghanaians in South Africa are those that we, in the Minority, fully support.”
He also backed the government’s move to elevate the issue to the African Union, saying, “The government’s decision to escalate the matter to the African Union level and to call on the African Union to consider sanctions against South Africa is one that we support.”
On the South African government’s handling of xenophobic attacks, Jinapor said Ghana was justified in demanding stronger action and accountability. He said, “Including the government’s call on the government of South Africa to be up and doing, if you want, in dealing with the xenophobic attacks in South Africa, in terms of governmental oversight and… taking responsibility. We are very much in support of all those.”
However, he stressed that Ghana’s diplomatic response should be grounded in verified evidence, cautioning, “Whatever stance we take, whatever measures we take are those that are supported by unimpeachable facts on the ground.”
