The African Chamber of Content Producers (ACCP) has called for intervention from the African Union (AU) and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat. They are urging South Africa to stop xenophobic attacks on other African nationals. These attacks are hurting the important gains made in trade, tourism, and unity across Africa. The situation has become so bad that Ghana has brought home around 300 of its citizens from South Africa.
Ghana is helping these citizens start new lives. Ghanaians are very disappointed. They are demanding protests in Ghana. Some people want to close South African businesses. Others want to stop new mining leases for South African companies in Ghana. Online conversations are getting worse. There is a real danger of hate speech. Anti-South African feelings are becoming stronger. The internet remembers these events. These difficult memories could last even after the problems are solved.
South African Tourism has confirmed these concerns. On May 28, 2026, they noted cancelled travel bookings from African countries. This followed recent protests and attacks on foreigners in South Africa. South Africa sees Africa as its biggest source of tourists. Connections between African nations are based on deep history, culture, and economic links. This official admission supports the ACCP’s view. Xenophobic violence is not just wrong, it hurts the economy.
The ACCP warns that when families stop visiting, the whole family breaks down. Africa is one family. If Africans do not feel safe traveling to South Africa, the damage will be more than just lost tourism. It will break the trust needed for the AfCFTA and African unity. The ACCP believes this is just the start if swift action is not taken. Ghana has already increased its diplomatic efforts. It summoned South Africa’s Acting High Commissioner. Ghana also formally asked the AU for an urgent debate on these attacks.
Ghana views these attacks as a challenge to shared African values. These values include solidarity, brotherhood, and unity. On April 22, 2026, Ghana’s Foreign Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, spoke with his South African counterpart. They planned an official response. This followed shocking videos of attacks on Ghanaians. On Wednesday, May 27, 2026, the first group of Ghanaians returned from South Africa. African ambassadors in South Africa did not attend this year’s Africa Day celebrations. This was a protest against the xenophobic hostility.
Ghana’s High Commissioner, Benjamin Quashie, confirmed the boycott. It was a direct response to the attacks and tensions. These issues led to the evacuation of Ghanaians. The South African government denies these xenophobia claims. They say the incidents are single cases. They insist there are no xenophobic attacks. Ghanaian civil society groups reject this denial. They are joining the calls for better protection of African migrants.
The ACCP warns that continued xenophobic violence weakens the goals of the AfCFTA. The AfCFTA aims for a single market for goods and services. It also aims for easier travel for people. Intra-African trade was only 14% of total African trade in 2024. This is much lower than in Asia and Europe. The ACCP notes that xenophobia and anti-foreigner feelings are major problems for deeper integration. In South Africa, almost 73% of citizens distrust African immigrants. Yet, South Africa accounts for over 40% of all intra-African trade. The ACCP states that this wave of xenophobia is a major step backward. Various African institutions are working towards a single trade block. This includes the AU, AfCFTA, Afreximbank, and the African Development Bank. The ACCP believes these attacks destroy the efforts made so far. They call for the AU and South African governments to act. They need creative, diplomatic, and lasting solutions to promote intra-African trade. This trade must be seen as a human-to-human relationship first.
The ACCP asked the AU to check if outside forces are funding xenophobia. They suggest these forces might want to slow down the AfCFTA and continental unity. The ACCP referred to historical events. In 1966, Ghanaians demonstrated against Kwame Nkrumah. It was later revealed that external forces, like the CIA, were involved. Ghana’s President John Dramani Mahama has confirmed this. Declassified US documents show the CIA supported Nkrumah’s overthrow. The ACCP sees similar patterns of disruption in Africa and Asia. They urge the AU to consider all possibilities.