Ghana’s High Commission in South Africa has advised Ghanaian nationals to remain indoors and suspend business activities on Tuesday as the country prepares for planned anti-immigrant demonstrations.
In a public advisory delivered through a video message, Ghana’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Benjamin Quashie, said the mission was working with the Government of Ghana to ensure the safety of Ghanaian citizens and was closely monitoring the situation.
Quashie urged Ghanaians who have been accommodated in churches, hotels and other designated shelters by the High Commission to remain there until further notice.
He said the South African Police Service had been engaged to provide security at the designated shelters while arrangements were being made for another evacuation exercise.
“30th June is the day of the said demonstration. We urge you all to stay indoors. Don’t open your shops and businesses. Those we have secured accommodations at churches and hotels for, kindly stay there and don’t come out. The police will be there to protect you. We are set to undertake another repatriation,” he said.
The High Commissioner said the government remained committed to assisting Ghanaians who wished to return home and urged nationals to remain calm and comply with the mission’s directives.
“We will keep you posted on the dates and arrangement. I can assure you that this challenge will pass through and become successful as a people. Let us be law abiding,” he added.
The advisory comes amid renewed concerns over planned anti-immigrant demonstrations in parts of South Africa, with June 30 reportedly set by some groups as a deadline for undocumented foreign nationals to leave the country.
The tensions have heightened anxiety among migrant communities, prompting many foreign nationals to leave South Africa in recent weeks over fears of possible attacks.
The Government of Ghana has already repatriated hundreds of its citizens from South Africa and said it plans to carry out another evacuation exercise for Ghanaians who have registered to return home.
