On Wednesday 27 May a flight carrying nearly 300 Ghanaians landed in Accra (pictured). Rather than a joyful homecoming, the overriding feeling for many was relief. The men, women and children had left South Africa quickly following a fresh wave of anti-migrant protests.
Ghana’s High Commissioner in South Africa, Benjamin Quashie, summed up the predicament of his compatriots, some of whom were undocumented: “The Ghanaian government listened to the plight of its citizens in South Africa, who felt that their lives were in danger, who felt like the economic activity that they were engaging in had come to a standstill, who felt unwelcome in this country,” he told the BBC.
The extent of the violence is contested. It prompted a statement from UN secretary-general António Guterres on South Africa’s Freedom Day, 27 April.
“The Secretary‑General is deeply concerned by reports of xenophobic attacks and acts of harassment and intimidation against migrants and foreign nationals in parts of South Africa, including in KwaZulu‑Natal and Eastern Cape Province. He strongly condemns these criminal acts perpetrated by individuals inciting violence and exploiting socio-economic conditions,” a spokesperson said.
