Ishmael Yamson warns Ghanaians against targeting MTN Ghana over South African xenophobia
Economist and Board Chairman of MTN Ghana, Dr Ishmael Yamson, has warned Ghanaians against targeting MTN Ghana and other South African-linked businesses in retaliation for xenophobic attacks on Ghanaians in South Africa.
Board Chairman of MTN Ghana, Dr Ishmael Yamson, has cautioned Ghanaians against targeting the company and other South African-linked businesses in response to xenophobic attacks on Ghanaians in South Africa. He emphasized that such retaliation would harm Ghanaian interests and potentially destroy businesses that significantly contribute to the local economy.
The warnings came as anger grew over attacks on African migrants, including Ghanaians, in South Africa, with calls for retaliation against South African businesses operating in Ghana.
Dr Yamson stated that MTN Ghana should not be held responsible for the actions of South Africans involved in the attacks. He clarified that MTN Ghana has significant Ghanaian ownership, employing thousands of Ghanaians, and is a major contributor to the Ghanaian economy through taxes. He also acknowledged that the company should have publicly condemned the xenophobic attacks sooner, expressing regret for the oversight.
However, he stressed that the corporate sector in South Africa had strongly condemned the attacks, and MTN Ghana had dissociated itself from the incidents.
Condemning the attacks unreservedly, Dr Yamson dissociated MTN Ghana from them and highlighted that the Ghanaians present in South Africa are law-abiding citizens. He reiterated that two Ghanaians had tragically lost their lives in the attacks. Dr Yamson advised that retaliating against Ghanaian businesses would not resolve the issue and would not help Ghana.
He urged Ghanaians to separate the actions of South Africans in South Africa from the operations of businesses like MTN Ghana, emphasizing that the company has not contributed negatively to Ghana.
Dr Yamson also revealed that MTN Ghana had initiated a support package for Ghanaians returning from South Africa following the attacks, initially setting aside GH¢10 million as a welcome-back fund. However, the company later reevaluated its approach and is now considering a fund to help returnees rebuild their lives. Dr Yamson admitted that the company should have consulted the Ministry of Foreign Affairs earlier in the matter but assured that the support for returning Ghanians would not be abandoned, emphasizing its significance.
Written by urgent.news from MyJoyOnline Ghana's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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