The Government of Ghana has welcomed the decision of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government to endorse Ghana’s request for the issue of xenophobic attacks in South Africa to be placed on the agenda of the next African Union (AU) Summit.
The endorsement, secured during the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government meeting in Freetown, Sierra Leone, reflects growing regional concern over the recurrence of attacks targeting African nationals living and working in South Africa. Ghana described the decision as a significant step toward forging a united continental response to acts of xenophobia that threaten African solidarity and integration.
Addressing fellow West African leaders, President John Dramani Mahama expressed deep concern over the recent incidents of xenophobic violence, describing them as contrary to the ideals upon which the African continent was built. He stressed that Africa’s liberation from colonial rule was achieved through collective struggle and unwavering solidarity among African nations, making it imperative for today’s leaders to safeguard that legacy.
“Our liberation was won together, across borders and across generations,” President Mahama noted, urging African leaders not to allow the continent’s shared history and unity to be eroded by intolerance and the actions of a small minority.
The President called for renewed commitment to the principles of Pan-Africanism, peaceful coexistence, and mutual respect among African peoples. He emphasized that no African should feel unsafe or unwelcome in another African country and appealed for stronger measures to protect the rights, dignity, and security of all Africans living across the continent.
Ghana’s proposal received the backing of ECOWAS leaders, who agreed that the matter warrants discussion at the highest continental level. The decision paves the way for the African Union Assembly of Heads of State and Government to deliberate on strategies to prevent xenophobic violence, strengthen the protection of migrants within Africa, and reinforce the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
The endorsement also underscores ECOWAS’ commitment to promoting regional peace, human rights, and the free movement of persons—key pillars of African integration. Analysts say placing the issue before the AU Summit could lead to coordinated policy actions, enhanced diplomatic engagement, and stronger mechanisms to address the root causes of xenophobia across the continent.
Ghana has consistently advocated dialogue, tolerance, and respect for human rights in addressing tensions involving African migrants. The government believes that confronting xenophobia collectively is essential to preserving the spirit of African unity and ensuring that citizens can live, work, and contribute freely anywhere on the continent.
The issue is expected to feature prominently at the next African Union Summit, where African leaders will consider practical measures to strengthen continental solidarity and prevent future attacks against fellow Africans.
