Deputy Director-General of the National Service Authority (NSA), Fuseini Donkor, has called for tough reciprocal measures against South Africa over renewed xenophobic attacks targeting Ghanaians and other African nationals.

Speaking during an interview on ChannelOne TV’s Breakfast Daily on May 28, 2026, Donkor said Ghana must stop tolerating repeated attacks against its citizens and respond firmly to what he described as "growing hostility" in South Africa.

“If there’s no balance of madness, there’ll be no sanity,” he stated.

The comments come as Ghana continues evacuating citizens from South Africa following fresh reports of intimidation, violence, and threats against foreign nationals.

According to Donkor, Ghana may also have to consider sending South African nationals back home to create room for returning evacuees, while reviewing the operations of some South African-linked businesses operating in Ghana.

“The truth of the matter is that we’ve treated South Africa with kid gloves. I think we should toughen up on them. They’ve taken these things for granted. It has become their way of life,” he said.

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He accused certain South African political figures and media personalities of exploiting xenophobic tensions for their own visibility and political relevance. He specifically referred to South African media personality Jacinta, who had criticised Ghana’s response to the attacks, as Donkor responded strongly to her comments.

“The effrontery, the impudence, that she thinks she can even communicate to Ghana that Ghanaians are overreacting… really? Seriously? I found that very unfortunate,” he said.

The NSA deputy also backed growing calls for Ghana to reconsider business relationships involving South African companies operating locally.

“That particular mining company from South Africa shouldn’t have its licence renewed,” he stated.

He further mentioned major South African-linked companies such as DSTV and MTN, suggesting that tougher economic measures may eventually become necessary if attacks on Ghanaians continue.

“And DSTV and MTN should also get ready,” he warned.

According to him, years of tolerance from African countries have failed to stop repeated xenophobic violence in South Africa.

“So it looks as if we’ve tolerated it from 2008 to 2015. The worst was in 2008 and 2015. But they even killed people,” he stated.

Donkor referenced former President Jerry John Rawlings while defending his call for stronger retaliation.

“I remember a famous quote by Rawlings, who said, ‘If your opponent pulls a gun and you also pull a gun, at least now there’s a stalemate. So you both put it down and negotiate,’” he said.

His comments have since triggered strong reactions online, with some South Africans defending their country’s frustrations over illegal immigration, unemployment, and crime, while rejecting calls for retaliatory action.

Others, however, have backed Donkor’s position, arguing that African governments must begin taking tougher stances to protect their citizens abroad as xenophobic attacks continue to resurface in South Africa.

NAD/BAI

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