‘I apologise’ – Dr Yamson admits MTN Ghana was late to condemn xenophobic attacks
Economist and Board Chairman of MTN Ghana, Dr Ishmael Yamson, has admitted that the company was late in publicly condemning xenophobic attacks against Ghanaians and other Africans in South Africa. Dr Yamson said MTN Ghana should have issued its own statement earlier, despite a condemnation already issued by the South Africa Ghana Business Chamber. “I […]
Dr Ishmael Yamson, the Economist and Board Chairman of MTN Ghana, conceded that the company delayed in publicly denouncing xenophobic attacks against Ghanaians and other Africans in South Africa. Dr Yamson acknowledged that MTN Ghana should have released its statement earlier, despite another condemnation from the South Africa Ghana Business Chamber.
When questioned about the company's silence while Ghanaians faced attacks, Dr Yamson stated, "I apologize that we haven’t done that." He emphasized that South African corporate institutions had vocally opposed the attacks, and MTN Ghana had condemned the incidents unequivocally. Dr Yamson also highlighted that MTN Ghana, as a significant entity in Ghana, was expected to speak out due to its size and influence.
He reiterated that MTN Ghana had no involvement in the attacks and dissociated itself entirely from them. Dr Yamson criticized South Africa's response, stating that the country could not promote African integration while harboring hostility toward African migrants. He expressed anger over the incongruity between South Africa's continental aspirations and the treatment of other Africans.
Dr Yamson also condemned calls for retaliation against South African businesses operating in Ghana, emphasizing that such actions would ultimately harm Ghanaians. He pointed out that MTN Ghana employs 98% of its workforce as Ghanaian and is the largest taxpayer in the country. Dr Yamson further revealed that MTN Ghana had initially planned to offer a GH¢10 million welcome-back package to Ghanaians returning from South Africa.
However, the company reconsidered this approach after realizing that immediate assistance alone would not suffice. The company now intends to create a fund, adding another GH¢10 million, to aid the returnees in rebuilding their lives. Dr Yamson expressed regret for the company's delayed response, attributing it partly to internal bureaucracy.
He commended other organizations that had already provided support to the returnees, including Telecel, the Pentecost Church, and others.
Written by urgent.news from Adom Online's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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