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South Africa has warned Ghana against misrepresenting and dramatizing the ongoing evacuation of Ghanaian nationals, urging Accra to engage with greater diplomatic decorum. The warning came from South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, in response to comments by Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa.
Lamola called Ablakwa’s statements “deeply disappointing” and “replete with misinformation,” disputing claims about casualties and the number of Ghanaians hospitalized. He stressed that Pretoria will not tolerate “public spectacles” based on incomplete or false information.
Regarding repatriation flights, Lamola said that of 300 passengers on the May 27 flight, about 90% were undocumented or had overstayed their visas, requiring emergency travel certificates for their return. He also warned Ghana against legal action against South African companies, saying any frivolous lawsuit would be vigorously defended.
Despite the tensions, Lamola reaffirmed South Africa’s commitment to regional integration and willingness to resolve migration issues through dialogue, including at the African Union level.
Story by Efua Nessa