South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has strongly condemned the recent wave of violent protests and criminal acts targeting foreign nationals in parts of the country.

Ramaphosa stated that such actions do not represent the views of the South African people nor the policy of his government.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter) dated May 11, 2026, titled “From the Desk of the President,” Ramaphosa directly addressed the nation, saying:

“The recent violent protests and criminal acts directed at foreign nationals in parts of our country do not represent the views of South Africa’s people nor reflect our government’s policy.”

The statement, which garnered over 545,000 views, comes amid rising tensions and reports of attacks on immigrant-owned businesses and properties in several South African provinces.

Ghana Responds: A Call for Pan-African Resolve

Reacting to the President’s assurance, Ghana’s Foreign Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, described the statement as “reassuring” and called for a united African front to resolve the crisis. In a post that invoked the legacy of Ghana’s first president, Ablakwa stated:

“We count on your leadership to resolve this. Ghana deeply values the longstanding great and inspiring bilateral relations defined by true solidarity and brotherhood with South Africa. I unrepentantly share in Kwame Nkrumah’s dream — Africa Shall UNITE.”

The diplomatic exchange highlights the deep concern across the continent following the resurgence of xenophobic violence in South Africa, which has historically led to strained relations with other African nations.

Ablakwa’s emphatic reference to Nkrumah’s vision of a unified Africa underscores Ghana’s expectation that South Africa, as a continental economic powerhouse, will protect the principle of free movement and safety for all African citizens within its borders.

As of press time, no official statement has been released by the South African police regarding arrests or specific measures to curb the violence.

The Ghana High Commission in Pretoria has issued an urgent public advisory for Ghanaian nationals living in and around Mthatha, urging them to close their businesses and avoid public areas ahead of planned anti-immigration demonstrations scheduled for Monday, 11th May 2026.

The advisory, released Sunday, May 10, 2026, reflects growing concern over the potential for violence against foreign nationals, a recurring issue in various South African provinces.

The High Commission confirmed it had received credible information regarding the demonstrations, which are expected to take place in Mthatha and surrounding areas of the Eastern Cape.

‘Heightened Caution’ Advised

In the official statement, the High Commission “strongly encouraged” Ghanaian residents to exercise heightened caution throughout the demonstration period. Specific directives include:

• Avoiding all areas where demonstrations or public gatherings are taking place.
• Refraining from any form of confrontation, provocation, or public disputes.
• Ensuring identification and immigration documents are valid and readily accessible.
• Closing shops and businesses during the period of the demonstrations where necessary for personal safety.

The Commission further urged Ghanaian nationals to cooperate fully with local South African law enforcement authorities and to prioritize their personal safety at all times.

Emergency Consular Channels Opened

The advisory also activated emergency consular assistance for those in distress. Any Ghanaian national requiring help has been instructed to contact the High Commission through dedicated emergency channels.

“The High Commission will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide further updates where necessary,” the statement read.

Recurring Tensions in South Africa

The warning echoes past episodes of xenophobic violence in South Africa, where foreign nationals, including Nigerians, Zimbabweans, Somalis, and Ghanaians, have faced targeted attacks, looting of shops, and property damage. Such incidents often stem from accusations that immigrants take jobs, drive down wages, or are linked to criminal activity, claims frequently disputed by community leaders and human rights organizations.

Mthatha, a major urban center in the Eastern Cape, has seen periodic protests over service delivery and economic hardship. The planned anti-immigration dimension adds a volatile element, according to local analysts.

Diaspora on Edge

For Ghana’s diaspora community in South Africa, estimated to number in the tens of thousands, the advisory brings renewed anxiety. Many operate small retail businesses, which have historically been flashpoints during anti-foreigner unrest.

The High Commission’s directive to proactively close shops suggests an elevated level of concern among diplomatic officials, who typically urge restraint but stop short of recommending business closures unless risks are deemed severe.

Global news will continue monitoring developments in Mthatha, with further updates expected from the High Commission as the situation evolves.

Ghana has not been named among the African countries currently capable of achieving sustained industrial growth, according to a major new report that places the majority of the continent’s economies in either “stalled” or “vulnerable” categories.

The 2025 Annual RED Index of Industrial Development in Africa, released by the Business Council for Africa, finds that only four nations, namely, Egypt, Morocco, Mauritius, and South Africa, possess the full set of capabilities required to drive and maintain long-term industrial transformation.

Two additional countries, Nigeria and Rwanda, have made important progress but do not yet meet all necessary requirements.

Ghana, despite its reputation as a stable democracy and a hub for West African trade, did not make either list.

A ‘Call to Action’ for African Policymakers

The index, whose acronym RED stands for “real economic development,” argues that industrialization is not a matter of aspiration but of “structural readiness.”

“Nations do not transform because they aspire to; they transform when the underlying capabilities of the economy allow productivity, scale, innovation, and global competitiveness,” the report states.

Arnold Ekpe, chairperson of the Business Council for Africa, described the findings as a wake-up call:

“This is not just an index. It is a call to action – for African policymakers, investors, and businesses to take ownership of Africa’s industrial future and commit to the structural changes required to deliver sustained growth.”

The Three Dimensions: Engines, Accelerators, and Decelerators

The RED Index evaluates economies across three decisive dimensions: “Engines of Industrialization,” “Accelerators,” and “Decelerators.”

The seven “engines” required include: a high-growth mindset (national ambition and policy discipline), reliable electrification, strong local financial institutions, digital broadband infrastructure, efficient transport systems, the development of national champion businesses (e.g., Samsung in Korea, OCP in Morocco), and a robust focus on STEM education—an area where the report notes Africa currently suffers a significant deficit.

The three “accelerators” are: effective public-private partnerships (PPPs), modern digital payment systems integrated into industrial value chains, and strategic openness to the global economy.

The major “decelerators” holding nations back include corruption and security instability. “Across the continent, corruption and security instability remain the most significant decelerators, undermining institutional effectiveness and limiting the execution of industrial policy,” the report explains.

Where Does Ghana Stand?

While the RED Index does not publicly rank every country in a league table, its clear delineation of the four capable nations, and the omission of Ghana, raises pointed questions for a country that has long positioned itself as a gateway to West Africa.

Despite possessing some strengths, including a relatively stable democracy and growing digital financial services, Ghana appears to fall short on critical engines such as consistent policy discipline, energy reliability, and the development of large-scale national champion firms that can compete globally.

The report’s emphasis on corruption as a major decelerator also carries weight in Ghana, where public procurement scandals and concerns over institutional inefficiency have repeatedly surfaced. Without addressing these structural constraints, the index suggests, Ghana risks remaining among the majority of “stalled” or “vulnerable” industrial economies.

A Path Forward

The findings do not suggest that Ghana or other excluded nations cannot industrialize, but rather that the underlying capabilities are not yet in place. The Business Council for Africa urges governments to move beyond short-term fixes and focus on the long, disciplined work of building the seven engines—from power and ports to policy consistency and STEM graduates—while actively mitigating corruption.

For Ghana, the message is clear: aspiration alone is not enough.

Without structural readiness, sustained industrial growth will remain out of reach.