The Minority in Parliament has called on the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, to focus on the safe evacuation and welfare of Ghanaians affected by the ongoing xenophobic attacks in South Africa rather than what it describes as excessive publicity surrounding the government’s response efforts.

According to the Minority, while the successful repatriation of Ghanaian citizens from conflict or crisis zones is commendable, it should not be portrayed as an exceptional achievement since Ghana has consistently demonstrated its ability to protect and evacuate its citizens during emergencies over the years.

Speaking to journalists on Tuesday, June 2, the Ranking Member on Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, Samuel Abu Jinapor, urged the government to intensify efforts aimed at providing relief, support and protection for affected Ghanaians.

He stressed that the primary focus should be on ensuring the well-being of those impacted by the violence rather than highlighting ceremonial aspects of the evacuation exercise.

“The Minister for Foreign Affairs should focus on delivering, he should focus on the substantive work and pay less attention on public relations. Public relations is all well and good. PR is all well and good. Branding is all well and good. Communication and social media and all the razmatazz of welcoming people and singing and all of those are all well and good.

“But at the end of the day, what people are looking out for here in Ghana and those in South Africa is that we get the job done. And as I have said repeatedly, this is not the first time Ghana has delivered on this. Ghana is reputed to be capable as a country of reaching out to its compatriots outside when they have difficulties.”

The comments come in the wake of the return of approximately 300 Ghanaians from South Africa following reports of renewed xenophobic attacks targeting foreign nationals in parts of the country. The attacks have raised concerns among governments across the continent, with several countries taking steps to ensure the safety of their citizens.