'We cannot achieve progress in isolation' — President Mahama slams xenophobia in South Africa at UK diaspora event

President John Dramani Mahama has strongly condemned the recent wave of xenophobic attacks in South Africa, describing the incidents as unfortunate and inconsistent with the vision of African unity and integration championed across the continent.

Speaking at a Ghana Diaspora Town Hall Meeting in London on Sunday, May 31, the President expressed concern over the violence, which has affected several foreign nationals and triggered a government-led evacuation exercise that has already facilitated the return of hundreds of Ghanaians from South Africa.

President Mahama said the attacks go beyond a security issue and pose a significant challenge to the ideals of Pan-Africanism and regional cooperation.

“We've always pushed for African unity, and so it's sad to see some of the things that are happening on the continent. There's no way that any African country can achieve the kind of progress that it needs without working with other countries. We cannot achieve it in isolation,” he stated.

The President highlighted Ghana’s longstanding commitment to Pan-African values and its role in promoting continental solidarity. He noted that the current developments in South Africa undermine efforts to strengthen cooperation among African nations.

He further referenced the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as a key instrument designed to promote economic integration and facilitate the free movement of people, goods, and services across the continent.

“That is why we passed AfCFTA, so that our people can move freely among themselves,” President Mahama said.

During the engagement, the President also touched on Ghana’s economic recovery efforts, acknowledging that his administration has had to make difficult policy decisions to meet obligations under the International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme.

He indicated that some of these measures became necessary after challenges inherited from the previous administration affected the implementation of the IMF-supported programme.

President Mahama also addressed the issue of illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey, describing it as a challenge that requires formalisation and regulation rather than enforcement alone.

According to him, Ghana’s vast mineral wealth presents significant opportunities for economic growth if mining activities are properly structured and managed.

“We still have a problem with illegal mining. Ghana was not called Gold Coast for nothing. Perhaps, the only regions without gold are the Volta, Oti and a few other regions. It is about what we call formalisation of mining,” he explained.

The President reaffirmed his government's commitment to pursuing policies that promote sustainable development, economic transformation, and stronger regional cooperation while protecting the rights and welfare of Ghanaians both at home and abroad.