By Love Wilhelmina Abanonave
Businessman Samson Asaki Awingobit has called for a stronger diplomatic response from government following the rejection of a proposed GH¢20 million support package from MTN Ghana for Ghanaians affected by xenophobic attacks in South Africa.
Mr Awingobit said Ghana should consider closing the South African embassy as part of measures to demonstrate its displeasure over the treatment of Ghanaians and other African nationals in South Africa.
“By now, we should have closed the South African embassy down. It is one of the actions I expect government to take so that the South Africans would know you can’t do that to your fellow Africans,” he said.
Mr Awingobit was speaking on GTV’s Breakfast Show on Monday, August 31, 2026, amid public debate over the government’s decision to decline the proposed support from MTN Ghana.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the government appreciated MTN Ghana’s offer but declined it because adequate financial arrangements had already been made to support the evacuation and reintegration of affected Ghanaians.
The Ministry also said the decision had already been communicated directly to MTN’s Board Chairman, Dr Ishmael Yamson, and the company’s Chief Executive Officer during a meeting with Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa on August 14, 2026.
Mr Awingobit argued that Ghana should take a firmer position against what he described as hostility towards African nationals in South Africa.
He said South Africa should not continue to benefit from business opportunities and goodwill across the continent while nationals of other African countries face insecurity and discrimination within its borders.
However, Lecturer at the University of Media, Arts and Communication (UniMAC), Tanko Musah Zakariah, disagreed with the call to close the South African embassy.
Mr Zakariah said such a move would be excessive, although he acknowledged that MTN Ghana was entitled to support humanitarian efforts.
“MTN is operating here in Ghana, they pay taxes, there is nothing wrong with them making an offer to support but the way they framed it is the problem,” he said.
He explained that companies could contribute to government-led humanitarian initiatives as part of their corporate social responsibility, but said such interventions should be communicated in a manner that respects the role and authority of the state.
Why government rejected the GH¢20m offer
MTN Ghana’s proposed GH¢20 million package was intended to support Ghanaians returning from South Africa following renewed xenophobic attacks.
MTN Ghana Board Chairman Dr Ishmael Yamson previously disclosed that the company initially set aside GH¢10 million to welcome returnees but later decided to double the amount and establish a fund aimed at supporting their longer-term reintegration.
The government, however, said it had already made adequate provision for the evacuation and reintegration of affected Ghanaians and therefore could not accept the donation.
The ministry has pledged to publish a comprehensive account of the total cost of the evacuation exercise once it is completed, citing the need for transparency and accountability.
It also stressed that the decision should not affect the government’s relationship with international companies operating in Ghana, saying it would continue to provide a conducive business environment for such companies regardless of their country of origin.
