Ghana to pursue legal and diplomatic compensation for citizens affected by xenophobic attacks in South Africa

• Ghana has opened a register of claims to document businesses, investments and property lost by its citizens during the recent xenophobic attacks in South Africa.

• The government says it will pursue legal and diplomatic compensation on behalf of affected Ghanaians while providing reintegration support, including grants and employment assistance, for over 1,000 evacuees.

• The move follows Nigeria's decision to seek reparations for its nationals, as African governments step up efforts to secure justice and compensation for victims of the anti-immigrant violence in South Africa.

The Government of Ghana has begun documenting the financial losses suffered by its citizens during the recent xenophobic attacks in South Africa as it prepares to pursue legal and diplomatic compensation for affected victims.

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The initiative will see the establishment of an official register of claims for Ghanaians who lost businesses, investments, homes and other property during the anti-immigrant violence that forced thousands of foreign nationals to flee parts of South Africa.

The announcement was made by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, during a media briefing on the government's response to the attacks as it continues efforts to assist Ghanaians displaced by the unrest.

The minister said:

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The compensation drive comes after Ghana evacuated more than 1,000 of its nationals from South Africa in phases following weeks of xenophobic attacks and anti-immigrant protests.

Ablakwa said:

The government has also announced reintegration measures for returnees, including financial grants, employment support and other assistance to help them rebuild their lives after returning home.

The attacks, which targeted foreign nationals and migrant-owned businesses in several South African cities, have displaced tens of thousands of people from across the continent and heightened diplomatic tensions between Pretoria and several African countries.

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Government’s initiative follows similar efforts by Nigeria, which recently began documenting losses suffered by its citizens to support future compensation claims against South Africa.

The Nigerian government has compiled records of businesses, homes and other assets abandoned or destroyed during the violence while pressing Pretoria to prosecute those responsible and strengthen protection for foreign nationals.

South African authorities have repeatedly condemned xenophobia and pledged to bring perpetrators to justice, insisting the attacks are not state-sponsored.