Ghana’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Benjamin Quashie, says the government is taking steps to protect Ghanaian-owned businesses in the country and will pursue compensation or legal action if any businesses are seized or unlawfully targeted.
According to him, Ghana has begun documenting and registering businesses owned by its citizens in South Africa, including details of their legal ownership, as part of efforts to safeguard their investments.
“We’ve instituted measures to ensure that everybody who has business in this country is protected,” he said in an interview with Accra-based Citi FM.
“And ensure that if the government of South Africa wants to take that business, there should be compensation to the owners of those businesses.”
Mr Quashie said Ghana would insist on what he described as “realistic compensation” for affected business owners who have spent years building their enterprises.
“We know what the businesses are, we know the legal documents that they have, and we intend to take it strongly up against the government of South Africa,” he added.
He further disclosed that Ghana plans to escalate the matter to the African Union level as part of efforts to address recurring xenophobic attacks against African nationals living in South Africa.
According to him, Ghana has already engaged South African authorities on the issue and expects urgent attention to prevent further diplomatic tensions.
“If not, then compensation and other things they will be paying to those people will be a matter determined by a court of competent jurisdiction,” he stated.
His comments come after Ghana petitioned the African Union to place xenophobic attacks in South Africa on the agenda for its upcoming Mid-Year Coordination Meeting.
The petition is seeking stronger continental action, including monitoring mechanisms, fact-finding missions, and dialogue initiatives aimed at tackling recurring violence and protecting African nationals.
In recent weeks, Ghana also coordinated the evacuation of some of its citizens from South Africa following renewed tensions and reports of attacks on foreign nationals. The first batch of evacuees arrived in Ghana on Wednesday, May 27.
Officials say diplomatic engagements and protective measures remain ongoing as authorities continue to monitor the situation closely.
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