I support demonstrations against xenophobic attacks

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Madam Hannah Tetteh, has stated that Ghanaians can protest against the xenophobic attacks that have rocked South Africa, leading to the death of about 10 people so far.

Many jobless South Africans, who accuse foreigners of taking their jobs, have been attacking African migrants and looting their shops.

Many Ghanaians have condemned the attacks, with some vowing to embark on protests to express their displeasure.

Commenting on the development Tuesday in joint interview with Accra based Radio Gold and Citi FM, Madam Hannah Tetteh said it was appropriate to demonstrate against South African Xenophobia.

“I think that’s ok. It’s important for us to express to the Government of South Africa, and I think Ghanaians can express to the government of South Africa, the fact that we are displeased and we didn’t expect that in a country like this which everybody supported towards the end of apartheid we’ll now find a situation where African immigrants are being killed in South Africa,” she said.

The Minister, however, declined to support calls for South African products to be boycotted.

Madam Tetteh said: “As far as the Boycott is concerned of South African products, I don’t think I want to be the person to announce that we should boycott South Africa products. I think that those are individual decisions people should make for themselves because to the best of my knowledge and from the information I’m getting from my embassy, the South African government is taking steps to deal with it.

‘What has happened in South Africa is any government’s worst nightmare. It’s the kind of thing that you don’t wish to happen, you don’t support it to happen, but when it happens, you want to get it under control as soon as possible,” she said.

She, however, called for South Africa companies to condemn the xenophobic attacks.

“…I think it’s important for South African companies, especially those working in Ghana, to show that they are not indifferent to what is happening and to disassociate themselves from this kind of xenophobic activity, so that you realise that this is the action of a few isolated South Africans, not something that other companies, other businesses, other entities endorse,” she pointed out.