Ghanaian victims of xenophobic attacks to be assisted to return home

Cape Town, June 6, GNA - President John Agyekum Kufuor on Thursday directed Ghana's High Commissioner to South Africa to provide the needed assistance to Ghanaian victims of the recent xenophobic attacks ready to return home.

Seventy-one out of 262 Ghanaian migrants displaced during the attacks, have expressed the desire to re-locate to their home country. Most of them had their shops looted at Khaylitsa, the worst hit area in Cape Town.

However, none of them either suffered physical injuries or was killed. President Kufuor who is attending the 18th World Economic Forum in Cape Town addressing the Ghanaian Community, said he had discussed with South African President Thabo Mbeki the need to provide them adequate security protection.

This was when the two leaders held talks to review bilateral relations between their countries and discussed regional and international issues, earlier during the day.

President Kufuor described the attacks against foreign nationals as unfortunate, especially when unity was high on Africa's agenda. He advised the migrants, who had decided to stay, to take good care of themselves and become "each other's keeper" President Kufuor briefed them on the political and economic developments at home, saying, Ghana was doing well and with the crude oil discovery, the future looked promising.
On Election 2008, President Kufuor gave the assurance that Government was determined to ensure it was peaceful, free and fair. Ghana, he said, would steer clear of the election pitfalls that triggered violent clashes in some African countries.
The migrants pleaded with President Kufuor to help them receive compensation from the South African Government to re-start their businesses and well protected.
Violent attacks directed at foreign nationals began in Alexandra township in northern Johannesburg and quickly spread to many other areas.
Fifty African migrants were killed and thousands were forced to flee their homes to seek refuge at police stations, town halls and churches.