The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration has defended its swift intervention to protect Ghanaian citizens caught up in ongoing xenophobic attacks in South Africa.
This comes after the confirmation by the Mozambican Government that five of its citizens have lost their lives in the ongoing xenophobic attacks.
In a Facebook post on Tuesday, June 2, Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa said this development has vindicated Government’s swift response to protect the lives of its citizens.
According to him, critics who lashed out at Government for its quick response to evacuate and protect affected Ghanaians should now appreciate the efforts.
“Ghana’s swift and responsible intervention should now be better appreciated by the critics who accused us of overreacting and moving in too quickly to save our citizens,” he wrote.
He noted that Mahama administration does not “gamble with the precious lives of Ghanaians.”
The Government also extended its deepest condolences to the Government and people of Mozambique following the deaths of five Mozambican nationals in the attacks.
The fatalities were confirmed by Mozambican authorities.
“We convey our deepest and sincerest condolences to the Government and people of Mozambique on the loss of five of their nationals due to the ongoing xenophobic attacks as confirmed by the Mozambican Government.
“No African should ever be killed by fellow Africans on African soil,” he added.
Referencing the vision of Ghana’s first President, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, Ablakwa said Africa must continue to pursue the ideals of unity and cooperation that he championed and sacrificed greatly to advance.
“May these condemnable acts never quench our Pan-African resolve for true African unity, full integration, free movement, common market and significant intra-African trade as Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah pioneered and sacrificed greatly for,” he stressed.
