Private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu has called on the Government of Ghana to pursue compensation from South Africa over attacks that have claimed the lives of Ghanaians.
He argued that the South African government has failed in its obligation to protect foreign citizens.
Speaking on the recent killing of Ghanaian, Bashiru Isaka, Mr. Kpebu alleged that South African authorities have not done enough to prevent repeated attacks on Ghanaians.
“The regime is complicit,” he said.
According to Mr. Kpebu, international law places a responsibility on host governments to protect foreign nationals within their territories.
He cited the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, arguing that South Africa has a legal obligation to safeguard Ghanaian citizens living in the country.
“When our citizens are being killed and investigations go nowhere, you begin to see the complicity of the state,” he said on July 4.
Mr. Kpebu further suggested that domestic political considerations may be influencing South Africa’s response to the attacks.
He claimed that with elections approaching, authorities may be reluctant to take firm action against those responsible for anti-foreigner violence.
“If they wanted to protect our citizens, they know what to do. Instead, we are seeing half-hearted attempts,” he argued.
The legal practitioner said Ghana should shift its focus from repeated condemnations to pursuing legal and diplomatic remedies.
“We should now be looking at compensation for our citizens for the manner in which the South African government failed to protect them,” he said.
He also advocated retaliatory measures against South African business interests in Ghana if authorities fail to adequately address the attacks.
Among his proposals, Mr. Kpebu urged the government not to renew the Gold Fields mining lease when it expires, arguing that the concession should instead be awarded to a Ghanaian company or managed locally.
“Under no circumstances should that Gold Fields contract be renewed,” he said.
According to him, retaining such strategic assets under Ghanaian control would create employment opportunities and ensure more value remains within the country.
“It would be better in our national interest to give it to our own citizens,” he stated.
Mr. Kpebu acknowledged that Gold Fields has made significant investments in Ghana but maintained that national interest should take precedence if Ghanaian citizens continue to face attacks without adequate protection in South Africa.
By Christabel Success Treve
