The Government of Ghana has vowed to pursue justice for two Ghanaian nationals killed in South Africa, assuring the public that it is taking diplomatic and legal steps to ensure those responsible are arrested and prosecuted.
Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, confirmed that the two Ghanaians lost their lives amid recent anti-immigration tensions in South Africa and said government remains committed to protecting the interests of Ghanaians living abroad.
Providing an update on the death of Mr. Bashiru Issak, the Minister rejected earlier claims by South African authorities that Ghana had circulated inaccurate information about the victim’s identity.
He explained that although South African officials initially identified the deceased by a different name, investigations conducted by Ghana’s High Commission in Pretoria established that the victim was indeed Mr. Bashiru Issak, confirming the position consistently maintained by the Government of Ghana.
According to the Minister, Ghana lodged a formal diplomatic protest over the handling of the case and filed complaints with the South African Police Service while closely monitoring investigations.
He added that the Ministry maintained regular contact with the victim’s family and facilitated the repatriation of his remains to Ghana with their consent.
Mr. Issak’s body arrived at the Accra International Airport on 14 July 2026 and was transferred to the 37 Military Hospital, where an independent autopsy was conducted after South African authorities failed to release an official post-mortem report.
Mr. Ablakwa disclosed that Ghana has completed its own coroner’s investigation and that both the coroner’s report and the autopsy findings will be made public to guide the government’s next steps.
He stressed that Ghana continues to demand a full, transparent and expeditious investigation into the killing, as well as the arrest and prosecution of those responsible.
The Minister also commended the bereaved family for their patience and cooperation, noting that despite Islamic burial customs requiring prompt burial, they agreed to delay the funeral to allow investigators to complete the necessary forensic examinations.
On the second victim, Mr. Kojo Antwi, Mr. Ablakwa said he was murdered in Prieska in South Africa’s Northern Cape Province in the early hours of 18 July 2026.
He said Ghana’s High Commission in Pretoria is engaging South African authorities to determine whether the killing was linked to the recent xenophobic attacks targeting foreign nationals.
The Minister urged the public to avoid speculation while investigations remain ongoing, warning that misinformation could undermine the investigative process and cause further distress to the victims’ families.
He added that Ghana’s High Commissioner has been instructed to maintain close engagement with South African authorities until both cases are fully resolved.
The Government reaffirmed its commitment to providing diplomatic and consular protection to Ghanaians abroad and pledged to pursue every appropriate diplomatic and legal avenue to ensure justice for the two victims.
Story by : Odeefuo Kwasi Berchie
