By Daily Democrat News Desk
The Greater Accra Regional Zongo Caucus of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has strongly condemned the brutal attack on a Ghanaian citizen in South Africa, describing the incident as a shocking reminder of the growing vulnerability of Africans living across the continent despite decades of calls for unity, dignity, and mutual respect.
In a powerful press release issued from the office of Hon. Ismaila Ali Horoya, Coordinator of the Zongo Caucus, the group declared that the assault was “unacceptable and deeply concerning,” warning that such acts of violence threaten the very foundations of Pan-African brotherhood and cooperation.
The Caucus said the attack cannot be treated as an isolated incident, insisting that xenophobia, discrimination, and violence against foreign nationals must be confronted head-on before they spiral into a wider pattern of abuse. It said Africans should not be made strangers in African countries, especially at a time when the continent is striving for integration, peace, and economic collaboration.
The statement came with rare praise for Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, whom the Caucus commended for what it described as a swift, proactive, and reassuring response to the incident.
According to the Caucus, the Minister’s immediate engagement has sent a clear signal that Ghana will not sit quietly while its citizens are exposed to danger abroad.
The group said the Minister’s intervention has restored some confidence in the government’s commitment to protect Ghanaians living outside the country. But it stressed that words of concern alone are not enough. It called for firm diplomatic pressure and sustained engagement to ensure that the matter is not swept under the carpet.
The Zongo Caucus has therefore issued a direct appeal to the Government of South Africa and the relevant law enforcement authorities to carry out a thorough, transparent, and uncompromising investigation into the attack. It wants the perpetrators identified, arrested, and prosecuted without delay.
According to the Caucus, justice must not only be done but must be seen to be done, especially in cases where innocent civilians are targeted because of nationality, ethnicity, or perceived foreign status. It said failure to punish such crimes decisively only emboldens offenders and deepens fear among immigrant communities.
The group further urged South African authorities to strengthen security and protection measures for foreign nationals, particularly Ghanaians and other Africans who contribute to the social and economic life of their host countries. It said no one should live in fear simply because they crossed a border in search of opportunity, education, trade, or a better life.
At the same time, the Caucus called on the Government of Ghana to remain actively engaged with its South African counterparts, using all available diplomatic channels to ensure that the rights, safety, and dignity of Ghanaians abroad are fully protected. It said the state has a duty to stand with its citizens wherever they may be.
The group also expressed solidarity with the victim and all Ghanaians who may have been affected by similar acts of hostility, saying they are not alone in their pain or struggle. It pledged continued advocacy for justice, accountability, and human rights across borders.
The Zongo Caucus said the attack should serve as a warning that Africa’s future cannot be built on hatred, exclusion, and violence. Instead, it insisted, the continent must recommit itself to unity, respect, and shared humanity.
“Let this incident serve as a reminder that Africa’s progress depends on unity, not division,” the statement concluded.
