Accra, Ghana- May, 2026
Lawyer and energy expert Mr Lom-Nuku Ahlijah has called on African governments and regional institutions to strengthen continental protection systems following the evacuation of Ghanaian nationals from South Africa amid renewed xenophobic tensions.
Speaking to the VeritasMedia, Ahlijah expressed deep concern over the growing insecurity facing Africans within fellow African states, describing the situation as painful and contrary to the vision of continental unity and integration championed by the continent’s founding leaders.
According to him, the ongoing evacuations expose significant weaknesses in Africa’s regional cooperation and collective protection mechanisms, particularly at a time when the continent continues to advocate free movement, economic integration, and stronger Pan-African relations.
“It is painful that we are now evacuating Africans from another African country. This is not the vision of continental integration,” he stated.
His comments come in the wake of Ghana’s decision to repatriate citizens affected by xenophobic attacks in South Africa, a move announced by Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa.
While commending the Ghanaian government for taking steps to protect its citizens abroad, Ahlijah stressed that African countries must move beyond reactive evacuations and focus on establishing long-term systems capable of preventing such crises from recurring.
Drawing comparisons with the United States’ “leave no one behind” policy often used in protecting American citizens overseas, he noted that although Ghana may not possess the same financial or logistical capacity, the country still has a responsibility to safeguard its nationals wherever they may be.
“We don’t have the capacity of the United States, but we cannot abandon our citizens,” he said.
Ahlijah further recommended the strengthening of regional diplomatic and security frameworks across Africa to ensure quicker intervention, protection, and coordination whenever tensions involving foreign African nationals arise in any member state.
He emphasised that African leaders must work collectively to address xenophobia, improve economic inclusion, and deepen public education on Pan-Africanism in order to preserve the spirit of unity and cooperation across the continent.
According to him, the recurring attacks against African migrants in parts of South Africa threaten not only human security but also the broader vision of African integration under continental agreements and institutions.
He therefore urged governments, regional blocs, and the African Union to prioritise policies that promote tolerance, mutual respect, and the protection of Africans living and working across the continent.
Observers say the comments add to growing calls for African governments to adopt more proactive continental protection measures as concerns over xenophobia and migrant safety continue to resurface in parts of the continent.
