Veteran Ghanaian journalist, Kwesi Pratt Jnr, has weighed in on the recurring xenophobic attacks in South Africa, describing the violence as a broader African challenge rooted in underdevelopment, low social consciousness, and miseducation rather than a problem unique to South Africa.

Speaking during a panel discussion on the latest wave of xenophobic attacks targeting foreign nationals in South Africa on Good Morning Ghana, as monitored by GhanaWeb on May 13, 2026, Pratt argued that hostility toward foreigners is not limited to South Africa and can also be observed in other countries, including developed nations.

“What is happening is comparable to the treatment of aliens in countries like France or the United States of America. Do you understand? And then, it is comparable to the ‘Ghana Must Go’ episode in Nigeria, and I can say with many others,” he said.

According to the Managing Editor of the Insight Newspaper, focusing solely on South Africa risks overlooking the deeper socio-economic and educational factors driving such tensions across the continent.

“So, it’s not a South African problem. It’s a problem of under-development. It’s a problem of a very low level of consciousness. It’s a problem of mis-education. It’s a problem of a misunderstanding of the practices responsible for the poor conditions of African working people,” he explained.

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Despite the underlying challenges, Pratt expressed optimism that the situation could be addressed through deliberate efforts aimed at improving education, social awareness, and economic conditions.

“So, but I think that these can be resolved,” he stated.

Pratt’s remarks come amid renewed concerns over attacks on foreign nationals and foreign-owned businesses, particularly those belonging to other Africans, in parts of South Africa.

VKB/VPO

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