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Diplomatic Tension Rises Between Ghana, South Africa After Ghanaian Migrant Killed
Nigeria as a country must take a courageous stand against those who turn its public spaces into execution grounds. The message must ring out clearly that mob justice is never the solution and can never have any sort of permission, no matter the temptation. This is time-sensitive before the next lynching happens.
A diplomatic row has erupted between Ghana and South Africa following the death of a Ghanaian migrant amid rising anti-immigrant tensions in South Africa.
The dispute comes after thousands of South Africans staged protests on Tuesday demanding undocumented migrants leave the country, following weeks of growing anti-immigrant sentiment and an unofficial June 30 exit ultimatum.
According to South African security agencies, over 25,000 migrants — including hundreds of Ghanaians — have already fled, while some African governments have begun evacuating their nationals.
Ghana’s Foreign Ministry said Wednesday that Bashiru Isak, 40, was shot dead during “anti-immigrant demonstrations linked to ongoing xenophobic attacks” in Khayelitsha township, Cape Town. Ghana said it had officially lodged a protest with Pretoria.
South Africa, however, strongly denied the allegation, insisting the killing was unrelated to the protests.
Authorities described Ghana’s claims as “factually incorrect,” noting that no deaths were recorded during Tuesday’s demonstrations.
Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi accused Ghanaian officials of spreading misinformation.
“It is concerning that Ghanaian authorities continue to communicate false information about South Africa regarding developments on irregular migration,” she said.
“The spread of false information to perpetuate the false narrative that South Africa is xenophobic is unacceptable.”
South Africa’s Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola had earlier warned Ghana against “public spectacles characterised by incomplete information and outright misinformation.”
Foreign Affairs spokesman Chrispin Phiri also criticised Ghanaian officials, saying diplomatic engagement should happen before “disseminating information” that is “inaccurate” and “not verifiable.”
Police investigations suggested the shooting may have been extortion-related. Officers said a Ghanaian man was attacked inside a barbershop on Monday after armed suspects allegedly demanded money before shooting him.
“Unknown suspects entered the barbershop and demanded money from the victim before he was shot,” police said.
Ghana, however, has refused to back down, with its Foreign Ministry insisting its earlier statement remains accurate.
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