Former President Mahama condemns xenophobic attacks in South Africa, highlights continent's support during apartheid
via GhanaWeb2 min read
A video from 2015 has resurfaced showing former President John Dramani Mahama condemning xenophobic attacks against Ghanaians and other Africans in South Africa. Mahama stated that the youth of South Africa might not fully understand the history of their freedom, emphasizing that the entire African continent supported South Africa in its fight against apartheid. He noted that many countries whose citizens were being brutalized had previously served as frontline states, offering refuge and support to South African freedom fighters. Mahama expressed regret that the same people who fought against apartheid were now being attacked. He urged the then-President of South Africa, Jacob Zuma, to take strong action against those involved in the atrocities to prevent future occurrences, highlighting that such incidents undermine efforts to create an integrated continent where people can move freely.
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The Minority Caucus in Parliament has called on the government to urgently operationalize several completed health facilities in the Ashanti Region to reduce pressure on the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital KATH. Dr. Nana Ayew Afriye, Ranking Member on Parliament's Health Committee, stated that congestion and bed shortages at KATH are due to delays in bringing key hospitals into full operation. The Minority highlighted the Ashanti Regional Hospital at Sewua, the Afari Military Hospital, the Trede District Hospital, and the Kokoben-Oforikrom District Hospital as facilities intended to ease KATH's burden. They noted that the 500-bed Afari Military Hospital was operationalized and the 250-bed Ashanti Regional Hospital at Sewua was substantially completed under the previous administration. The caucus expressed difficulty understanding why the government would suspend a hospital CEO rather than accelerate the full operationalization of these facilities. They also pointed out that the 100-bed Trede and Kokoben-Oforikrom district hospitals, commissioned in 2024, remain largely non-operational. The Minority argued that these delays have worsened pressure on KATH and contributed to the "No Bed Syndrome," urging the government to immediately operationalize all completed hospitals and address systemic challenges identified by healthcare professionals.
Must ReadA second group of Ghanaians evacuated from South Africa has arrived at Accra International Airport. This evacuation follows escalating xenophobic tensions in South Africa. A video shared online shows one evacuee being assisted onto a stretcher and into an ambulance upon arrival in Accra, where officials and health personnel received the returnees. This group is part of the government's ongoing evacuation efforts for Ghanaians affected by renewed anti-immigrant attacks and insecurity in parts of South Africa. The government had previously approved the evacuation of hundreds of Ghanaians who registered with the country's High Commission in Pretoria after reports of xenophobic violence targeting foreign nationals.
A security guard, Joseph Obedekeme, recounted the moment a building near Melcom Plus in the Industrial Area collapsed, trapping two individuals. Obedekeme, who has worked at the location for over a year, stated that he narrowly escaped the collapse, which occurred around 4:25 am. He reported hearing a loud noise from a nearby shop, followed by the collapse of the entire building. According to Obedekeme, a woman sleeping inside the building was trapped, and two people were inside at the time of the incident. One person managed to escape by jumping out and was taken to the hospital. The Ghana National Fire Service has since rescued two people from the rubble, with one reported to be in critical condition.