Director of Communications for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Richard Ahiagbah, says xenophobic attacks in South Africa are rooted in internal economic challenges rather than the presence of foreign nationals.
Speaking on recent developments involving a Ghanaian citizen, Ahiagbah argued that migrants are being unfairly blamed for problems that stem from deeper structural issues within the South African economy.
“Migrants are not the problem,” he said on The KeyPoints on April 25.
According to him, many Africans who move to South Africa do so to contribute economically, not to take jobs.
“They go there to invest and contribute to the economy. They are not the problem,” he said.
He explained that widespread unemployment and inequality have created frustration among some South Africans, which is then misdirected at fellow Africans.
Ahiagbah described a situation where many citizens struggle for daily survival, citing examples of people competing for limited job opportunities.
He noted that economic control remains concentrated, leaving many feeling excluded and unable to improve their livelihoods.
“They are suffocating economically, but they cannot address the real source of their challenges,” he said.
Drawing from a personal experience in South Africa, Ahiagbah recounted an incident involving an Uber driver who bolted with his phone and later attempted to extort money from him.
He said the situation escalated to the point where police had to intervene.
According to him, the incident reflects a broader climate of tension and hostility toward foreigners.
Despite acknowledging that experiences may vary across different parts of the country, Ahiagba insisted that the treatment of Africans in South Africa is unacceptable.
He urged authorities to take responsibility and address the underlying causes of xenophobia.
By Christabel Success Treve
