Ghanaian mine workers in South Africa seek inclusion in evacuation exercise

Ghanaian workers in South Africa’s mining sector have appealed to the Government of Ghana to include them in the ongoing evacuation exercise amid growing concerns over possible xenophobic attacks.

Ghana’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Benjamin Quashie, disclosed that the workers contacted the embassy through their leadership, expressing fears over their safety ahead of a planned demonstration scheduled for June 30.

According to him, the workers said the tense atmosphere and anti-foreigner sentiments in parts of South Africa had heightened anxiety among foreign nationals, including Ghanaians working in the mining industry.

The development comes after Ghana evacuated about 300 of its citizens from South Africa following protests and renewed calls by some South Africans for undocumented foreign nationals to leave the country.

Mr. Quashie also dismissed reports attributed to South African immigration authorities claiming that only 10 out of the 300 evacuees were legally resident in the country.

He insisted that approximately 80 percent of the evacuees were lawful migrants who possessed valid documentation to live and work in South Africa.