President John Dramani Mahama has criticised the response of South African authorities to recent xenophobic attacks, saying their actions appeared inadequate in protecting affected foreign nationals.
Speaking at Chatham House in London on June 1, 2026, Mahama said the situation left many foreigners vulnerable, including nearly 200 Ghanaians who were forced to seek refuge at Ghana’s embassy for safety.
According to the President, Ghanaian citizens were among foreigners targeted in parts of South Africa, including Durban and surrounding communities.
“It didn’t look like the South African authorities were doing anything to try to quell what was happening and also to provide protection to those who had been displaced,” Mahama said.
He also described a hostile environment where some foreigners were reportedly denied access to healthcare facilities because of their nationality.
“There were even forays into health institutions and if you were not South African you were asked to leave the hospital even if you were ill,” he stated.
Mahama noted that the situation escalated to the point where hundreds of Ghanaians sought shelter at the Ghanaian embassy, peaking at about 200.
The President said the apparent lack of intervention by South African authorities left Ghana with no choice but to organise an evacuation exercise for its citizens.
“We had no option but to evacuate our citizens,” he said.
He disclosed that one evacuation flight had already been completed, while two additional flights would be arranged for Ghanaians who still wish to return home voluntarily.
Mahama further urged South Africa to address the underlying causes of the violence and ensure that foreign nationals living in the country are adequately protected.
His comments come amid growing concerns over renewed xenophobic attacks targeting foreign nationals in South Africa, prompting Ghana to begin repatriating affected citizens.
