The Member of Parliament for Okaikwei Central, Patrick Yaw Boamah, has criticised the government for rejecting a GH¢20 million support package from MTN Ghana intended to assist Ghanaians affected by recent xenophobic attacks in South Africa.
Speaking on UTV, the MP said the financial assistance could have provided immediate relief to Ghanaian citizens who suffered losses and hardship following the attacks.
“We should have collected the money,” Patrick Yaw Boamah stated.
Boamah Questions Rejection of MTN Ghana Support
According to the Okaikwei Central MP, MTN Ghana has made significant investments in the country, created employment opportunities and contributed to economic activity.
He argued that the telecommunications company’s willingness to provide financial assistance to affected Ghanaians should have been welcomed by the government.
“They have created jobs and also lots of activities in the country. They did not come as Father Christmas; they have invested in a lot and they expect to get profit from the investments,” he said.
Boamah maintained that MTN’s South African ownership should not have prevented the government from accepting the proposed assistance, particularly because Ghanaian citizens were facing difficulties in South Africa.
GH¢20 Million Could Have Supported Affected Ghanaians
The MP said rejecting the GH¢20 million support package ultimately meant that Ghanaians affected by the attacks lost an opportunity to receive additional financial assistance.
“So if something like this has come and it is a Ghanaian company with a South African majority and the country has been faced with a problem and they are willing to help and the country refuses, they do not lose,” he stated.
He added that the affected individuals could have used the money to address some of the challenges caused by the attacks.
“People have been affected and they could have used the money to support them,” Boamah said.
Boamah Condemns Xenophobic Attacks in South Africa
Patrick Yaw Boamah also condemned the reported xenophobic attacks against Ghanaians in South Africa, describing the situation as difficult for affected citizens.
He called for increased diplomatic engagement between Ghana and South Africa to address tensions and protect Ghanaian nationals living and doing business in the country.
“What happened to us there was not easy, but we need to use diplomacy to resolve lots of these issues,” he said.
Ghana-South Africa Relations and Diplomatic Solution
The Okaikwei Central MP argued that accepting financial assistance from MTN would not have prevented the Ghanaian government from pursuing diplomatic measures to protect its citizens.
He maintained that the two issues could have been handled separately, with the government accepting legitimate humanitarian support while simultaneously using diplomatic channels to address xenophobia and safeguard Ghanaians in South Africa.
The comments have added to the ongoing public debate over the government’s response to the reported attacks, the role of corporate support during crises and the broader Ghana-South Africa diplomatic relationship.
Source: newsthemegh.com