Ghana-South Africa tensions: Minority supports AU sanctions call over xenophobic attacks

The Minority in Parliament has thrown its support behind the Ghana government's decision to seek tougher diplomatic action against South Africa, including asking the African Union (AU) to consider sanctions over the treatment of Ghanaians amid renewed concerns about xenophobic attacks.

The endorsement marks a rare bipartisan position on a major foreign policy issue as diplomatic tensions between the two African nations deepen.

Speaking in Parliament on Tuesday, Ranking Member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Samuel Abdulai Jinapor, said Ghana's response must remain firmly rooted in protecting its citizens and advancing the country's national interest.

"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," he said.

Minority backs government's South Africa stance

Mr Jinapor said the Minority fully supports every legitimate measure being pursued by the government to safeguard Ghanaians living in South Africa.

"We support the Minister, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the President and the Government of Ghana in taking up the matters relating to our compatriots in South Africa, particularly as it relates to the protection of Ghanaian citizens anywhere in the world," he said.

His comments come after Ghana postponed bilateral engagements with South Africa that had been scheduled for next month following reports of anti-migrant violence in parts of the country.

Support for AU intervention

The former Foreign Affairs Minister also endorsed the government's decision to escalate the matter to the African Union, saying the Minority supports calls for the continental body to consider sanctions if necessary.

"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," he said.

He added that Ghana was justified in demanding stronger action from South African authorities to tackle xenophobic attacks and protect foreign nationals.

"We are very much in support of all those," he said.

Foreign policy must be based on facts

Despite backing the government's diplomatic approach, Mr Jinapor cautioned that Ghana's response should remain evidence-based.

He said any foreign policy decisions must be supported by "unimpeachable facts" to preserve the country's credibility on the international stage.

"We need to ensure that our foreign policy is credible, and that whatever stance we take, whatever measures we take are those that are supported by unimpeachable facts on the ground."

His remarks come as calls grow for stronger regional action over the treatment of Ghanaians in South Africa, with the government seeking a coordinated continental response through the African Union.