The Minority in Parliament has backed the government’s decision to take stronger diplomatic action against South Africa over the reported treatment of Ghanaians, including its call for the African Union (AU) to consider imposing sanctions.
The Ranking Member of Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, Samuel Abdulai Jinapor, on July 7 said that Ghana must always place its national interest and the safety of its citizens abroad at the centre of its foreign policy.
“A lot has happened within the past 24 hours, in relation to foreign affairs, particularly Ghana’s bilateral relations with South Africa, and for me to also be quick in pointing out that all foreign relations must be in accord or must promote Ghana’s national interest,” he said.
The Damongo MP stressed that every diplomatic decision taken by Ghana should serve the country’s best interests.
“So all our foreign relations, all our foreign posturing, and the conduct of our foreign policy should be one that promotes the national interest of our country,” he stated.
Mr Jinapor said the Minority fully supports every lawful measure the government is taking to safeguard Ghanaians living in South Africa.
“So all the measures, or whatever measures our government is taking… to protect Ghanaians in South Africa are those that we, in the Minority, fully support,” he said.
He added that he has consistently supported the government’s efforts whenever the welfare of Ghanaians living outside the country is at stake.
“I’ve never seized the opportunity; I’ve never lost the opportunity to make this point that we support the Minister and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the President and the Government of Ghana to take up the matters relating to our compatriots in South Africa, particularly as it relates to the protection of Ghanaian citizens anywhere in the world, in South Africa in particular,” he noted.
Mr Jinapor also endorsed the government’s decision to refer the matter to the African Union and seek stronger action from the continental body.
“The government’s decision to escalate the matter to the African Union level and to call on the African Union to consider sanctions against South Africa is one that we support,” he said.
He further backed Ghana’s call for the South African government to take greater responsibility in tackling xenophobic attacks.
“Including the government’s call on the government of South Africa to be up and doing, if you want, in dealing with the xenophobic attacks in South Africa, in terms of governmental oversight and… taking responsibility. We are very much in support of all those,” he added.
Despite his support, Mr Jinapor urged the government to ensure that every diplomatic action is based on reliable and verifiable evidence.
“But the second point… is also that in the discussion we need to ensure also that our foreign policy is credible, and that whatever stance we take, whatever measures we take are those that are supported by unimpeachable facts on the ground,” he said.
His comments come as diplomatic tensions between Ghana and South Africa continue to grow over the reported treatment of Ghanaians, with increasing calls for stronger intervention by the African Union.
