We should have closed South African embassy by now – Asaki Awingobit

Businessman Samson Asaki Awingobit has urged the government to take stronger diplomatic action in response to the rejection of a GH¢20 million support package from MTN Ghana for Ghanaians impacted by xenophobic attacks in South Africa. Awingobit suggested that Ghana should consider closing the South African embassy as part of its displeasure over the treatment of Ghanaians and African nationals in South Africa. "By now, we should have closed the South African embassy down," he stated.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, however, explained that the government declined the offer because sufficient financial arrangements were already put in place for the evacuation and reintegration of affected Ghanaians. This decision was communicated to MTN Ghana's CEO Dr Ishmael Yamson and Chairman Dr Ishmael Yamson during a meeting between the Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa and the government officials on August 14, 2026.

Awingobit argued that Ghana should demonstrate a firm stance against the hostility faced by African nationals in South Africa, stating that South Africa should not continue to enjoy business opportunities and goodwill across the continent while African nationals face insecurity and discrimination within its borders. Despite this, lecturer at the University of Media, Arts and Communication (UniMAC), Tanko Musah Zakariah, disagreed with Awingobit's call to close the South African embassy.

Zakariah believed that such a move would be excessive, but acknowledged that MTN Ghana was entitled to support humanitarian efforts. He explained that while MTN could contribute to government-led humanitarian initiatives as part of its corporate social responsibility, the presentation of such interventions should respect the role and authority of the state.