Ghanaian officials are telling the public to ignore criticism from South African politician Julius Malema. Malema questioned Ghana's decision to evacuate its citizens from South Africa. He suggested the timing and approach were not helpful. This statement comes amid rising xenophobic tensions in South Africa. Ghanaian nationals have been caught in the unrest.
Samuel Abdulai Jinapor, who leads Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, strongly disagreed with Malema. He said Ghana's national interests should always come first. Protecting Ghanaian citizens abroad is the government's top duty. Jinapor stressed that foreign political opinions should not steer Ghana's actions. He spoke on JoyNews' Newsfile program on Saturday, May 30.
Ghanaian citizens in South Africa faced difficult situations. The government initiated an evacuation plan to bring them home safely. There were some initial problems with the evacuation. This caused worry among people and groups involved. However, Jinapor praised the current efforts. He called the evacuation necessary for the safety of affected Ghanaians. He pointed out Ghana's strong record of helping its citizens abroad. Past operations in Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Ukraine successfully brought many Ghanaians home. These historical events show Ghana's commitment to its people during crises.
Jinapor stated, "I think we should disregard, with the greatest of respect, the utterances of Julius Malema completely. Ghanaian national interests supersede any other interests," he said. He also acknowledged that discussions about such matters are important. However, he maintained that international advice should not dictate Ghana's policies. This is especially true when national welfare, a key economic indicator of a government's success, is at stake. The government continues its work to ensure all Ghanaians in danger return home safely. This involves significant logistical planning and financial commitment, although specific figures for the current operation have not been released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration.
The government assures that all steps are being taken. These steps aim to guarantee the secure return of all affected Ghanaians. This situation emphasizes the importance of robust consular services and proactive foreign policy. It also highlights the economic and social costs that can arise from regional instability. The number of Ghanaians registered for evacuation from South Africa stood at over 600 in recent reports. The government is managing significant resources for this repatriation effort.