Ghana has officially appealed to the African Union to include the recurring xenophobic violence targeting African migrants in South Africa on the agenda of the bloc’s upcoming Eighth Mid-Year Coordination Meeting.
The appeal was made in a letter dated May 6, 2026, signed by Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa and sent to the Chairperson of the African Union Commission in Addis Ababa.
In the correspondence, Ghana urged the AU to treat the issue as “a matter of urgent continental interest” at the meeting set to be held in El Alamein from June 24 to June 27, 2026.
The Ghanaian government voiced serious concern about the repeated outbreaks of xenophobic attacks in South Africa, noting that the incidents have caused deaths, destruction of businesses and investments, and insecurity for many African nationals residing there.
“It is particularly troubling that manifestations of xenophobia, including violent attacks against fellow Africans, have persisted in recent years,” the letter noted.
Authorities in Ghana argued that such acts contradict the ideals of African unity, solidarity, and brotherhood promoted by the AU and the Pan-African movement.
The letter further stated that Ghana considers the attacks a violation of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and inconsistent with the goals of the African Continental Free Trade Area, which is intended to encourage free movement, reduce trade barriers, and create a unified African market.
Among its recommendations, Ghana called on the AU to reinforce its monitoring systems to ensure member states comply with obligations under the AU Constitutive Act and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
The government also proposed the formation of a fact-finding mission to investigate the root causes of xenophobic violence in South Africa and suggest suitable solutions for the AU to consider.
In addition, Ghana advocated for dialogue and reconciliation programmes aimed at encouraging tolerance, inclusion, integration, and a renewed dedication to African unity among citizens across the continent.
The letter stressed that despite Africa’s painful experiences with slavery, colonial rule, and apartheid, the continent’s future should be founded on shared respect, dignity, and prosperity.
Referencing Ghana’s first president and Pan-Africanist Kwame Nkrumah, the government stated that Africa’s true liberation and development can only be achieved through unity and by ensuring that no African suffers dehumanisation on African soil.