First Batch of Returnees Land in Ghana: Rescue or Beginning of Struggle? | Matters Arising

Added: 2026-06-01

[00:00:00]to the evacued. So we have a little over 800 Ghanaians from South Africa that are supposed to be evacuated to Ghana.

[00:00:09]Yesterday we took delivery of 300 of our Ghanaian brothers and sisters with the government as well making some assurances and all of that. But of course we can't help but have a conversation about how bleak the future may look for them. Right. Let me start with you Fifi.

[00:00:25]It's no longer a a hypothetical crisis.

[00:00:28]It's a lived one. right a lived in a crisis then >> yes um it's unfortunate that the South Africans have decided to behave the way they are behaving and I believe that the government of South Africa has also not lived up to expectation uh because what we are what we hear is that these are acts of lawlessness and if it's a lawless act the expectation is that government would ensure that the people comply with the laws of the country. I I was sad when I saw the video uh on Adam online uh the Adam socials a gentleman showing scars on his body and why must we get to this states where if you think that somebody has flouted the law of a country what you rather do is to subject the person to physical assault. I think it is wrong and the expectation is that the government of South Africa will act right. But as we talk about the government of Ghana, yes, the people are here and promises have been made. I'm only praying and hoping that these promises will be kept.

[00:01:43]Uh the government officials who met them yesterday, well, we are grateful to government for ensuring that the people are back home safely. Of course, not all of them are back and some are also not willing to come back. But those who are back, the asurances we are getting from government is that well we will not just let come uh bring them and leave them to their faith. We'll ensure that uh some support is given.

[00:02:13]I have not heard clearly exactly what kind of support these persons are going to get from government. You have not heard the exactly >> exactly what I'm not I don't know if you you know exactly what government is going to do for them.

[00:02:27]>> They they promise a certain level of financial support.

[00:02:32]They also promise that you know of course when you get to a car when you get to uh the airport that's the end of the journey we're ensuring government is ensuring well yeah not we government is ensuring that the the transition from airport to their final destination. the ministry alongside with Nadmo as well is providing some free psychological um so psychosocial I would say for them to the trauma I >> I get I I get that but then I believe it is not sufficient >> okay what what would sufficient >> if you say financial support >> you want specifics >> what kind of financial support are these retaines going to get what were they doing and how are they going to start because I I saw a story of one of the them and I'm told when that man was in Ghana, he was a chef. He's left the country for over 24 years or so.

[00:03:28]Does he even have a house to go and live in? Where is he going to live? Does he have a family to readily accept him and accommodate that person? So the support would he be able to provide a person an accommodation >> to start a business? What kind of business? because already >> agree it will be a case by case right it can't be a blanket uh support >> that's why I asked spec what exactly is government going to do because we do not know whether it's going to be a blanket thing okay everybody get 5,000 Ghana cities go start something with it okay someone who has for example a restaurant doing very well in South Africa if you bring that person and say that okay I'm giving you 10,000 Ghana cities would he be would you be good enough restitution for that person >> what about the reality check we also know that government definitely cannot provide you the comfort you would have right >> I agree but you see the people here the promises we've been uh given have they lived up to it and that is my fear we were promised that we're going to get uh one job three shift three people that has not been fulfilled so are you going to rely on the the promise from these same persons when they say that they are going to ensure that the people will get something to do and they will be fine and they will be happy to encourage others because what happens to these people will serve as a a benchmark for others touch with if they should face similar situation because people were in trouble and he said oh don't worry I'll bring you home I'll give you something to do if you fail to live up to it when people are dying somewhere because I've seen another one from Cambodia threatening Ghanaians to come home by Cambodia Yeah.

[00:05:16]>> Where where the grass is greener dear?

[00:05:18]Why not?

[00:05:19]>> How green can Cambodia be?

[00:05:22]>> Where the grass is greener? Definitely.

[00:05:25]>> Daddy, you cannot have such a green.

[00:05:28]You remember Solomon? You met him at the funeral? Bodia.

[00:05:31]>> Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes.

[00:05:33]>> You also went to Cambodia.

[00:05:34]>> He was aband but you anticipated the ripple effects, right? where all of a sudden you have people in >> how you treat these people will serve as a motivation for those in Cambodia to say that well no matter what happens when we go home we'll be fine so the people promising three jobs three shifts and not living up to it expectation is that at least this time around they will not disappoint these people but another point I want to touch on is really what is our position in handling explain what is happening in South Africa because government is bringing them back home.

[00:06:17]That's good at least to ensure that these people are safe.

[00:06:21]But I have also seen a certain uh agenda if you like on social media government must take a position. Uh there's also South African companies operating in this country. How do we also treat them?

[00:06:38]I am not going to be part of that crusade but I'm asking what is our position. I saw a video of a Nigerian uh senator I think was >> yes talking tough and asking that the government takes a certain position. I wish to know what is our position. How do we intend handling what is happening or at least also pushing the South African government to act right? Because diplomacy so much but see the diplomacy there are different ways of also ensuring that your points is also recognized. you for example.

[00:07:25]>> I am not the one to advise the minister for foreign affairs at all.

[00:07:28]>> No, I want to hear you.

[00:07:29]>> Yes, >> I want to hear you. Oh, but you see you you can find a way of letting them understand that okay if X is happening we also ensure we do Y and for that reason you are supposed to also see reason because the question is why would the government of South Africa look concerned >> it all that they have done is that oh yes stop it and the people are beating our nationals so all I'm going to do is that okay let's just bring our people home and end >> no I'm saying >> can we also not find a way to get the government of South Africa to also act right.

[00:08:03]>> Like I said, I am not the one to join the campaign to say that don't renew this person's contract, suck this company from Ghana.

[00:08:12]>> But they must also realize that we also have a certain strength which we can also show to let the government now begin to realize that if we continue to allow the people to misbehave because what is going on in South Africa is clear misbehavior. M >> if the government continues to allow them to misbehave, maybe government of Ghana also hits them when it hurts.

[00:08:34]>> Okay.

[00:08:35]>> For which reason they must act right. I have not gotten that clarity in terms of our position.

[00:08:41]>> And it is also important for government to come in and let us know because those who have started a conversation on social media asking that some companies must suffer for it. If you are not careful, it becomes the position of Ghana.

[00:08:55]>> Mhm. because I've seen people making reference to what somebody a lady one jinta lady in South Africa was saying and it gives an impression as though that is the position of South Africa. If government is just going to allow people on social media to take a position and say that this is the way to go without government also defining how we seek to get this thing right. I think that it would not be in our interest and government must come and let us understand that this is what we are doing to ensure that South Africa also comply with their own laws by protecting our citizens and I do not think that just bringing our people home is sufficient. We must demonstrate something beyond that.

[00:09:36]>> Okay, Dr. Zato. So, let me just run you through what the government of Ghana announced that they're going to be doing. Five pointers. Welcome home financial package. Of course, there's no particular amount to that. Number two, transportation assistance to various destinations across Ghana. Number three, reintegration allowance for free psychosocial support. And the fifth one is entry into a special database for jobs and startup opportunities. And this is coming at the point where Fifi raises a concern that why trust a government who hasn't been able to implement the three shift basically the 24-hour economy. But I also ask the question that why won't you trust a government who says that well in the face of danger you are being beaten I will evacuate you and bring you back home at the very least and at the very primary level of a human which one would you concern yourself with?

[00:10:27]>> Thank you very much. Uh I want to believe that the ministry of foreign affairs in general and the minister in particular has learned from the experiences of Ukraine.

[00:10:40]You know, when the Ukraine war started, the government of Ghana evacuated some Ghanaians, trying to find a safe way for them to come to Ghana.

[00:10:49]So, this is not the first time Ghana and I I think if you go further down history, you may see where that when there's an issue, the government of Ghana doesn't throw the high hands up.

[00:10:58]He reaches out to bring to try to bring relief. But I remember when some of those for one for purposes of this, let's call retirees came, they started making demands. I heard one of them say look I was reading medicine in Ukraine all of a sudden you've brought me here what am I going to do I've seen some of them come back and say that ah why did you bring me here there's nothing for me it was becoming a debacle around the government of Ghana so they were like ah there's war people are dying bloods are flying over bombs are flying we've rescued you with money we've brought you home and you are being ungrateful that was that sentiment began rising up So the people that are asking these questions are also asking the same thing. They're asking are we going to get there? Are these people before you realize and these things happen very easy in Ghana before you realize they are well organized. They on the streets they are somewhere or they in court demanding that you give them things because you >> but that's why the government said that's why the offer was made voluntarily.

[00:11:59]>> Agreed. I'm saying that yes again I'm I'm making the same point in in Ukraine government did not force people out of Ukraine. government provided opportunity for you to leave because there's war.

[00:12:09]Government simply saying let's try to see how we can get you out of that place. They came and this is I'm not say I'm saying that's what remember I started by free I hope the ministry of foreign affairs the whole ministry minister they've learned some lessons I'm sure they would have compared to notes from the Ukraine evacuation and this one to now say okay how do we make sure that we do not >> for when they create another a bigger issue for us with regards to these demands we make because true if I've lived in South Africa all my life I have a business I have a house everything all of a sudden you bring me to Ghana >> not all of a sudden Mr. Zato Dr. Is that >> it's not it's not all of a sudden is it?

[00:12:45]>> It's less they have less than a month.

[00:12:47]They have less than a month to >> like you had xenophobic attacks existed years. I like to think before I was born. So if you decide to said that Cambodia, >> I will I will adopt that and say that we have known the challenges.

[00:13:05]>> And you you want to go and if you go and you have a problem, the government says that ha >> there's a problem come home.

[00:13:12]>> How I cannot accept that it is all of a sudden. I'm saying that help the xenophobic attacks they they flare up once in a while sometime it looks like it's come then it flares up either they happen the media is not reporting or sometimes the media is reporting but they they flare up because you don't you could say that in January we had these issues even they were there they were not they didn't come to so all of us there's a reason why we have to bring up because they flared up that's what I meant by all of >> just even answer on your behalf >> if you mfr today the They tell you uh next month >> you are sacked. Do you think you can organize yourself within a month? It will be difficult for you.

[00:13:53]>> Is that is that the analogy?

[00:13:56]>> That's what they do. They are comfortable. That's what I'm saying is that >> and within a month their source of income is cut. You are even move. Is that what you mean? Is that what you mean? All of a sudden you are sacked.

[00:14:07]You're not giving I am saying that I will adopt what he saying. I don't know if I you adopt it.

[00:14:13]I I'll adapt it >> to make it better. All I'm saying is in January we do not have this issue like we were not talking about evating in January, right?

[00:14:21]>> Why?

[00:14:23]>> In February, we're not talking about evocating them. Why? So maybe I'm a businessman. In January, I saw a business opportunity. I had let's say 2,000 5 10,000 rand sitting there. I put into the business in January, in February, in March, April. All of a sudden, April, May, I'm being told that I'm these things are coming up and I'm being told no. No, I'm sorry. I don't want you to muffle the words. I want you to be clear.

[00:14:46]>> April, May, these issues are flaring up.

[00:14:49]And I have to run away.

[00:14:50]>> What are the issues? You have to run away. Okay.

[00:14:52]>> I have to run my way to Ghana. That is what has flared up.

[00:14:55]>> Okay. And the person says that for running, I'll provide you a boot so you don't hurt your feet.

[00:15:00]>> Yes, I agree. No, no. I don't know what you are getting. I'm with you. So, all of a sudden, the person is coming back.

[00:15:04]But remember he has sunk 20,000 rand in the business from January to April.

[00:15:10]>> But I gave you the opportunity. Would you like to face your business in the face of war or you want to come home?

[00:15:15]>> That's what I'm saying. If you listen to I premise it on the experiences of the past. Bombs were falling in Ukraine.

[00:15:20]People were dying and the government says look we will bring you back only for them to come. Really they came and then oh what do you want current ministry to learn from?

[00:15:29]>> Thank you.

[00:15:30]>> That was like you don't want to be honorable anymore. I want to be a journalist as well.

[00:15:34]>> Come on. I see that right now. Thank you. Thank you for that.

[00:15:38]>> We need to find a way to make sure that I've seen some other things happen.

[00:15:42]There was psychological advice and this other government program they all part.

[00:15:46]I want to believe that they were all lessons we've learned from their coming to say that look temper your expectations from the psychological the counseling everything your expectations know your new environment and then when you come back here understand that the support you get might not be what you expecting. M >> so that is what I'm saying >> they should manage their expectations >> expectations yes that I want to blame that is part of the counseling they got >> a government to have itself to blame if they don't do this this is expected is it not all >> that's what I'm it's not say it's expected sometime it's not done I don't think we they did this >> no two things what what is expected and what is done there two different things >> then there's another issue here what should that the government should do people are talking about businesses look and then goldfield is increasingly being used as the they post the child of this Yeah, >> their license is up. And the question is for me the biggest thing that that disappoints me that worries me that so far the South African Chamber of Business if they have one or the business the South African business community in Ghana have not issued a single statement on these things happening.

[00:16:49]I've not heard it. I've not seen it.

[00:16:50]>> Okay.

[00:16:51]>> What is worrying is that there are genuine fears in Ghana. There are people ordinary citizens in Ghana forc literally bucking at the government to to come out with some reprisals and there are powerful people like Solomon sitting on it literally asking for a state for but the South African business are you asking for a asking for and there are people so far so far the South African high commission no it's an embassy and the South African business community has been so tonedeaf on this issue They have not issued a single statement. They have not come on to say, "Oh, we see what is happening. We don't support it." They have done nothing.

[00:17:31]Like they don't give a damn. And that for me is angry people.

[00:17:36]>> It's angry. And you can see that because legitimately if Ghanaian citizens are look the US, take the US embassy for instance. Ghanaians have been refused embassies visas and things. They issue a statement. Something happens. They will quickly issue a statement to say that this is what is happening. This what's not happening. Why is the South African embassy tone deaf to the suffering of Ghanaians there if this was happening to their system when they talk? So for me it's a problem. Now I won't believe that government should at a minimum government government of Ghana has options that are not necessarily aim at what also beating harassing ordinary South African citizens. Government of Ghana has policy options and I think that those options should begin to be used. one the gold feels h their alliances is coming government should withhold it the renewal or whatever it is either you act you just let it die or don't renew it anytime soon until government can >> you know that Ghanian work Ghanaians work there as well right >> yes yes no you can it can be temporary you can say because of that we're not going to fulltime you can make a year two years nothing big to let you do that I'm saying that one two there are South African businesses here that are government of Ghana can come out with a special duty, a special tax on them to take at least at minimum take care of this coming back. So we could say that look and the MP is here the government say okay look we are charging each South African business this particular tax shop right South African airlines goldfields what are the other ones >> MTN >> MTN and we are charging you this percentage tax specifically this tax will be put into a fund to take care of abused Ghanaians who are returning >> okay >> it will help the government to make sure that these men and It also be a form of reparation for them. So that as I said if you had a house in South Africa if you can prove that you had this investment in South Africa but you are escaping because of this government can then dip into this amount of money to help you resettle. I believe that is a nonviolent >> approach to the situation and that is a business approach to then say that look you are paying the cost of this thing and and >> but you you agree that South Africa must now accept that they have done something wrong no what I'm saying is that >> it will mean that there must be some mediation for South Africa to accept that yes we agree that we caused this and so the recommendation then will now be the not necessarily NOT NECESSARILY NO BUT YOU can't you can't Come on.

[00:20:11]International law doesn't >> No, no, it's not. But anyway, GIVE ME A MINUTE. NO, NO, NO. What we are simply saying is that after you have h if you MTN, after you have paid all your taxes, you repatrate your profits back to South Africa, right? That is the one we are tasking. That's the one we are putting the one >> but they already pay tax.

[00:20:28]>> Yes. All that is normal task. We are not putting a >> we so we they should they should create a fund or a tax component that is meant to handle situations like this. And I'm saying that for an organization to agree to this, the MP is here.

[00:20:45]No, no, it's not. Do you understand what I mean? Because honorable, you would understand that for a company to say that I'm putting some resources down to pay for situations like this, it will mean that I agree that usually I cause problems. So this is money to to to manage the problem that I cause. Okay. It should be forced.

[00:21:07]OF COURSE IT'S >> NOW IS CLARITY THEN OKAY IS GIVE ME A MINUTE give me a minute I'm going to I'm coming to you honorable I'll come to you as well but you know Fifi and everybody was talking about the video in fact as well mentioned that one of the Ghanaian retainers who was explaining his ordeal we have it I just want to bring it back so you can see Oh, sorry. Sorry. Sorry.

[00:21:54]F still life goes on.

[00:21:59]>> Yeah. So that's a Ghanaian speak.

[00:22:04]>> At least I heard what he said.

[00:22:05]>> Okay. So I want to tell my viewers what he said.

[00:22:08]>> At least I heard what he said.

[00:22:09]>> But but I also want to tell my viewers what he said.

[00:22:11]>> Okay. Tell them.

[00:22:11]>> So that's a Ghanaian who's been Kuwait to Ghana and is also showing the scars on his skin and also tells us the ordeal he went through but also says that well he's asking for forgiveness. uh well if he's also done something and then he also forgives them but he says that once he's home I thought you were explaining it >> so now you you translate my my everything >> everything okay please land >> okay so my my landing is that >> part of the resettlement should be what a fund paid in if I say voluntary they may not pay >> in advance the task on South African businesses the big big big mega ones so that they will pay into it. will use that money to resettle these Ghanaians coming to help them to if you had a profit again I'm going back to you had a car in South Africa you can prove that you had a car it will because of you have to fill it to come to to compensate the car if you had invested in this business you can prove that to compensate either way unless and until it is beginning to affect the pockets of South African business they and their silence has made them complicit South African high commission and South African businesses your silence on this issue makes you complicit.

[00:23:29]>> Okay. So, Dr. Zato, that's quite an ugly pen you have there. Don't come to the show with this pen with that. It's not nice. Please use the other one.

[00:23:38]But he's wearing honorable.

[00:23:52]Look at the pen. Let me show the pen.

[00:23:54]Show the pen.

[00:23:56]>> This is the pen. This is this is >> well Solomon >> so you definitely understand where Dr. Zato is going. He says that listen if we don't bring measures that are quite punitive enough then it may continue but I'm quick to also remind him that what he's suggesting he can understand the hurdles. A country must accept that they are notorious for such act not just by what we say they have done. There must be some conclusion from both sides that well we agree that you people this is what you do. They also say yes we know we are sorry we unable to control it. So because of that this is a fund that is available so that when it happens it happens you can go into that fund and take it to to you know some sort of repatriation. I I I don't know the challenges you anticipate would face in such recommendations that he's making but not just a little bit he's boldly told me that you're asking for a tit for tat.

[00:24:50]>> Oh but my position on this matter is known. In fact, I made that position right here a month ago. People thought I was crazy.

[00:24:58]>> Actually, you were >> you always even the neutrals are coming home. You see, we see things they are coming home. They are joining.

[00:25:07]>> I still insist there has to be a t for I do not still understand why the high commissioner of South Africa is still in this country. What are we doing now?

[00:25:16]Look, let me first of all praise this administration for what they have done.

[00:25:21]I mean, whichever way you look at it, they have responded.

[00:25:30]>> America is an animal that runs faster.

[00:25:32]>> I thought is banana.

[00:25:34]>> No, it's a bird. It's a bird on the beach.

[00:25:37]>> You understand? So, they have done well because our people were facing a existential threat. They were being attacked left, right, center. So to have a government to respond within that shortest possible time is is is is worthy of uh praise and we have lived in this country. I saw what happened in Libya in 2017 2018 where Ghanaians were being sold in the open market that the government couldn't go to year 8. So we have seen two contrasting words and this against this background that I'm saying that this administration has really done well. I also th my heart out to the high commissioner of Ghana to South Africa even in South on South African land.

[00:26:21]>> He was bold.

[00:26:22]>> Mhm.

[00:26:23]>> To tell them >> that you were molesting our people. You were attacking them. He he didn't waver.

[00:26:29]He didn't shake.

[00:26:30]>> Yeah.

[00:26:30]>> He stood for the principle. He stood >> He called out to the mayor as well.

[00:26:34]>> And I took my heart out. I like people who confront at that material time. He put away diplomacy because he saw reality.

[00:26:42]And as a human being, you must always confront reality and not give it any other name. If it is black, it's black.

[00:26:49]If it's white, it's white.

[00:26:52]>> Why I disagree with him as a high commissioner is the last bit. I think yesterday I heard him say we don't have any dipl diplomatic brow with South Africa. That's a lie.

[00:27:04]That's a total force we have.

[00:27:06]>> Maybe we don't. We have >> if if he doesn't have we have >> because the sovereignty of the of the of this country resides in the people under article one >> the aspirations of Ghanaians is for them to live to our expectation nobody can say at this moment that we we are cool with South Africa let it be clear so it's again that background that a couple of days ago when the president was giving waiver h what's his name v uh waivers >> visa waiverss >> and included all the 54 countries in Africa. I had a problem with it. It has to be 53 minus South Africa.

[00:27:47]>> Are you sure we really have problems?

[00:27:49]>> We have don't >> Are you sure that today today like this if we have like if we have a way to verify you sure Gadians are not applying to go to South Africa?

[00:27:56]>> Oh no. But you know you see that is the mistake South Africans are making.

[00:28:01]That's the mistake. That is the infant argument Jinta and Victoria are making over there. You see love, love can let someone relocate. I met a lady. She's a South African. I love her.

[00:28:15]>> Matters of the heart. You can't do anything about it.

[00:28:18]>> Okay.

[00:28:19]>> The person follows the lady headquarters.

[00:28:21]>> You understand?

[00:28:22]>> So you follow her to where?

[00:28:23]>> Oh, Dr. Zato. It's his story, please.

[00:28:25]>> Okay. The person follows the lady to South Africa. They met the lady. I haven't said me. I'm married. I'm married.

[00:28:36]So you FOLLOW ME. WHICH lady did you meet? Madam listening you >> don't try to twist. This business of trying to twist is very very very >> what I'm saying is that you said you me you said m of the understand.

[00:28:55]I was giving you the foundation why in fact I started from why >> why Ja and Victoria >> okay >> well speaking from point of view >> and I said that people relocate for various reasons and I said that I meet a lady >> are you getting the >> you love the lady you love the lady okay so it's an analogy >> analogy analogy >> because we And this is the this is the commonest thing that can get someone to relocate.

[00:29:29]>> One of you must relocate anyway.

[00:29:32]>> Either the the lady is from South Africa and I'm from Ghana. She is moving to Ghana.

[00:29:36]>> Can do long distance.

[00:29:37]>> How can you do long? How you going to you see how you going to enjoy yourself my friend?

[00:29:44]>> Okay. Okay. It's too early. So it's too early for >> so based on that the relocation. So if I relocated based on this >> on what basis would you say that h >> and I Ghanaian I would like to do a business I like to start a business my partner over there would love to support me but if I'm Ghanaian and I start a business and the South African young people over there believe that you're taking jobs that would have been for them still was a phobic attack. So on the basis of this question, I have written my petition. In fact, yesterday was a holiday. I written two petitions for two individuals to be sat immediately. Okay.

[00:30:21]>> And I understand you have to go to the government of Ghana. Yesterday was a holiday. I was going to submit it at the Jubilee House. That W immediately has to be fired as the boss of the African Continental Free Trade Area because then he is misrepresenting that body. Why did Africa as a body establish what we call African continental free trade? You know, Africa as a body has agenda 2063 and that agenda has seven main aspirations.

[00:30:53]Free movement of people h uh common culture and identity integration and so on and so forth. You understand? That is the aspiration of agenda 2063. Now we established Africa content free trade area to enable free movement and free trading amongst Africans.

[00:31:12]Now one of the African countries says that no there cannot be free trade or free movement within their country called South Africa and by virtue of that Africans must leave and Ghana has heeded to that call and then brought uh it citizens back home. So on what basis would wankle mini as a South African be leading the Africa continental free trade area? How would one convince me that he as a South African believes in Africa uh continental free trade or Africa integration? So in order to save the face of that body called the after one must do the honorable he must not even allow my petition to get to the president of Ghana for extension to the AU commission. he himself must do the honorable thing and resign as a secretary general of after then I go to Patrice Mipe the boss of CF I mean African football is what to promote unity amongst ourselves now South Africa has told us has shown us that they don't need that unity they said go to your continent what is SC Confederation of Africa uh football so if the South Africans are saying that we Africans must go back to our continent in the believe that they not part of the continent and how can we have a South African leading a body that they claim they not part of it. So Dr. Patrice MP this morning I also send that petition to the h GFA >> to extend it to C for him to be but they must do the honorable you see in all this let us remember that we will never forget the date of 27th 202 26 when 300 Ghanaians returned home. Never must you forget it. This business of dudulla I have promised here that it will end in 2026. They will never continue again because we will m them boo. You people are doing diplomacy here. Your people people came here they are crying. Their businesses have been taken over. They have been stolen. They have been so take your issues away. We have taken over your business. You think we you deal with it? THIS IS A STATE SPONSORED THING BECAUSE the high commissioner of South Ghana to South Africa sat here right here with Spencer and told us that when you went to the case area a major was the one leading the seizure of keys to Ghanaian businesses.

[00:33:37]So what more do you need?

[00:33:40]But in any case who is going to lose in this South Africa contribute about 26.8% % in terms of after business Africa free trade in fact in value terms it's about $29 billion how much does Ghana contribute to it so they only giving us our opportunity to fill in the vacuum so when people are misbehaving teach them let them understand that you can be made more than them and who told them that Ghanaians are peaceful this business of Ghanaians are peaceful I keep hearing it we are peaceful Who told you?

[00:34:17]>> But >> if you were peaceful, would you have gotten our independence in 1957?

[00:34:20]>> But he had a man says that.

[00:34:22]>> Oh, he let him see this South Africa.

[00:34:24]You'll be the first person to slap him.

[00:34:25]You watch him before the camera. That's why he said that. By the way, the decision not to renew Go's license is non-negotiable.

[00:34:36]It will be part of election 2023 campaign.

[00:34:40]>> I'm telling you. to go face Ghana or whatever they must be doing the honorable they must begin to pack because the people of this country the youth will rise up it's not going to be business as usual you cannot s Ghanaians you cannot let them leave your country leave their businesses there and we because of diplomacy on the author of some well called diplomacy allow South Africans to be doing businesses here comfortably by the way it has been established that of the 300 people that they came only about 10 of them were illegal residents in South Africa.

[00:35:16]The rest have been given documents to live legally in South Africa. So the argument has extended beyond people who are undocumented.

[00:35:27]So what it means is that South Africans or the South African government is telling us that as Ghanaians we can also no matter their status here whether or not they are legal their lives must be endangered.

[00:35:38]>> What does what does tit for touch look like for you? In status matters in 1969, Ghanaians sacked Nigerians. I remember that story from my father that to identify who a Nigerian was in this country just needed to let them h say 1 2 3 4. Nigerians couldn't pronounce four very well. Anybody who said f is a Nigerian. So they say 1 2 3 Nigeria they identify them immediately.

[00:36:01]So we sack Nigerians from this country.

[00:36:04]Is that the case in 1969? That's why the MPP suffered on that. aliens compliance order the people of fate on it. Now Nigeria did not do anything in 1982 or the 1980s >> Nigerians also reciprocated that gesture they s Ghanaians from Nigeria back to Ghana since there has anyone s anybody?

[00:36:30]We are living peacefully because we know our history. We know how has happened in the past that you do me I do you man when you finish play that song for me you do me I do you man like right now right now that's I'm asking >> now you want us to you are coming home don't worry we will be there >> no no because you you cited 1960 something I wasn't born the 1 2 3 4 Nigerians say you >> I I read it in history and all of that so day. Exactly. That's why Dr. Zato made some recommendations. South South African company should be uh maybe would it be a sanction?

[00:37:14]We have here they can all the banks FB is here they can go.

[00:37:19]You see what they have done? They will suffer for it and indeed we must make them to suffer for it.

[00:37:24]>> Okay?

[00:37:25]>> You see there is another video of an elderly person. He says he has been living there for so long. He said something that there are very good South Africans. There are but there are more bad South Africans. I don't subscribe to this business. Oh, we have a lot of good South Africans so we must temper h justice with mercy. How can very uh big or huge numbers of good South Africans sit down for few bad ones to destroy their country? It means all of you are bad.

[00:37:56]You understand? And so the issues under consideration afford us an opportunity to build. But in terms of how we will settle these people, >> the matter our matter has been solved only two days ago. The audit report on the the foristic audit report on the 13th all Africa Africa gives have identified that four individuals in this country by extension you see Mustafa Kmin Alasan Drusu they are holding our 583 million Ghana seats that money half of it is good enough where we >> is good enough is good enough to settle the SOUTH AFRICANS. THE AUDITOR general is saying these people contrary to the assertion that the 13 Africa games was to be used as a base for developing our infrastructure and after that established sports university out of this they decided to pocket the money.

[00:39:04]>> So you think that that money can be used?

[00:39:05]>> No no I said it sack when they say search am I the one saying it? No, no, no. Has your name appeared in it? Has your name appeared? Did you take part in the money? Why are you going to say the money? So be factual.

[00:39:19]>> But if you are you have been searched with Solomon, >> the auditor general reports.

[00:39:24]>> You don't have to read. You don't have to. No, no, no, no, no. Anyway, just move on. I want him to come.

[00:39:30]>> But just to make the point that the report did not say that they have pocketed the money.

[00:39:34]>> So they have banked the money.

[00:39:36]>> Okay, let me repeat the report. They have banged the money. Go ahead. But then it's not true that they said >> but the report says that we should go and take that money from them.

[00:39:45]>> If you have not pocketed the money why would we take the money from you?

[00:39:48]>> See there can be mislication there can be different. So not just saying that the money has been unable to go beyond nine because I have a I really want people I definitely but what you saying just I tell there's a difference between a watchman and security man.

[00:40:07]>> Yes. because there's different >> we all watching what is the want to go is a watch what is this so the South African situation let's honorable >> present an opportunity to write the wrongs of yesterday and must also be >> a caution to politicians you are the reason why people leave this country to go and struggle when we give you our money to manage this country for the sake of the unborn generation let's utilize the money to better the the loss of the people of this country So that we will leave majority of Ghanaians will leave here and leave comfortable.

[00:40:41]>> Honorable are you are you are you appreciating the concern of Dr. Zato Fifi and even Solomon that was a consuity level government >> across across all level and uh uh let's uh note that what is happening in South Africa today is not the first of its kind. It is not the first time we are suffering this and uh my worry is that uh uh 54 nations in this continent we didn't do the partition. we were not part of it. They they did it and even those who partitioned us to now see ourselves as um individual as borded are trying to break away from it. So we also doing our best and um AU to come together. It's unfortunate that uh a key significant player in our cause to unite Africa is doing this. It is in every uncertain terms wrong because uh South Africa what they have done they should know that we can retaliate easily as uh uh Mr. U is Sami is asking for but the truth is this in the heat of this what is happening should we go that tangent government has decided that we can also do whatever we want to South Africa they have businesses here they are making in they say Ghanaians are doing businesses and taking jobs there they are also doing but um the moment we go that way that means we are going to lose focus on the safety of our people there so quickly let's go in Ghanaians have given have about 800 of them have shown up that we want to go home. Government help us. Yes, we've started bringing them in.

[00:42:18]Yesterday 297 of them arrived.

[00:42:20]Government has even put in the place.

[00:42:21]We'll give you financial support on arrival. We'll give you uh transportation. We will give you uh reintegration allowance and even those of you who have employable skills or entrepreneurial ideas and want to do we've set up a database. Let's take care of you first. After that we can talk of what Sami is talking about. then we know because what South Africa has done if we could the same tangent would derail us.

[00:42:45]So as for me I'm pleading there are so many ways of killing a cat suggestions are coming up.

[00:42:49]>> Why do you have to kill >> because I don't I don't I don't like where you are going. I don't like the Joseph conversation coming UP as now. What I am looking for is for government and I appreciate so much the president, the minister for foreign affairs and what they have done to do to to bring the people here. What I am looking for is for us to be able to bring in all the 800 who have who have registered there and want to come to safety. Then after that we can look at uh other management of it. Oh, so unfortunately my time is up. It's not that it's up to I have to do some business but Fifia I know you can just take a few seconds to comment on the uh the new uh reforms that Coco is hoping to curb to do to curb smuggling in in Ghana. Just some few seconds.

[00:43:46]>> So well if you can give me about 2 minutes actually. Why that?

[00:43:50]>> Yeah. Do I have 2 minutes?

[00:43:51]>> We have people trying to brand but it's exclusive to him. Very unfortunate.

[00:43:58]>> I I I know honorable sits on the board of Koku marketing company. He wish to talk about this but then it's I I agree about what you said. I agree that it's important as a country >> uh for us to ensure that cocoa produced in Ghana is not smuggled >> because cocoa board makes a lot of investment into the production of cocoa from research to production of seedlings to uh pesticides and all the things cocoa does for cocoa farmers. So for Coco to take steps to ensure that the coco is more smuggled is good. However, I think the timing of this law is a bit problematic and I say so because cocoa board law uh the act coco act of 1984 PNDC law 81 if you read section 2 H section two talks about what Coco the objectives of Coco board or what Coco board is supposed to do. 2 H talks about the fact that Coco has a responsibility to purchase, market and do other things. He has a responsibility to buy coco from coco farmers. This responsibility has coco discharged that responsibility and discharge it well. The last co this current cocoa season there have been series of complaints there have been series of reports where farmers are complaining that yes have produced a cocoa and cocoa board is refusing to buy because they do not have money.

[00:45:31]>> You do not have money to buy the cocoa from the cocoa farmer. You have some communities for example that sit between the Ghana and Kodiva cocoa border. I have produced my cocoa. I am ready to sell. Coco says the licensed buying companies who buy on behalf of Coco.

[00:45:47]They say that we do not have money to buy because what we've bought and then uh supply to coco is not paying so we don't have money to buy. Such a farmer the same constitution if you read article five it talks about uh our right to livelihood economic rights. I produced my cuckoo I am ready to sell.

[00:46:08]It's your responsibility to buy. You are not buying that cuckoo and you come and say that if I should cross the border and give to somebody to buy I should go to jail for 10 years. Is that fair? Is that right? This would have been a good I am saying I am saying that I think your point has been discharge responsibility. You have a right a smuggling. You have a right to buy the that right you are not discharged and you say that somebody is smuggling out smuggle it out because you have a bag of coco in the canal it is not a problem it is to ensure that you discharge your RESPONS DR. to Solomon Fifi honorable I promise I will discuss this particular bill into details okay yes but has said that he does not disagree >> but honorable also has a rebut all of them I like that >> what he said is not the case thank you there's so much in that recommendation is not SAID MASTER PLANNER JUNIOR policy analyst.

[00:47:37]This is a message for you say that Solomon says that on the Africa I want to be with Solomon for the first time you should not entertain them. This is from Master Planner Jr. Master Planner you have other long messages I'm unable to read them. I also have another one from Thug Dea Koku general partner at Kent Watford. Unfortunately, your your message is long and I'm unable to I'm unable to read all many Ghanaians would like to to see South African business chamber say and most importantly do something about supporting the retainers. I wonder if they've been in touch with the foreign minister in the whole period at all. You sent a tall uh uh um comment that I really would love to read but unfortunately I'm unable to read it. But guys, get ready because I'm taking you to the Kimpinsky Hotel, Gold Coast City in Acra, Ghana as the 10th Ghana CEO Summit is taking place today at 28th today. But I need to just take this message before I just take you to the Gold Coast. I would say okay so this is a special from >> it's a it's your homework is that go and look for the meaning of go and look for the meaning of I'm unable to find the message unfortunately okay let me see I'll take you to the gold coast hotel just right now but in the meantime take the okay blessed birthday wishes to Mrs. Ata from your husband DM for aim state secretary and the kids a and qua sorry kuda we say happy birthday to you for being there for us and we love you live long and you're such a super wife and mother >> yes to Brian Oppoku Forson. Uh you are 10 years today. You are at Basil Education Complex. This is from your family. Happy birthday to you Brian. In fact, I am ready to take you to the uh Campinsky Gold Coast Hotel where the 10th CEO summit is taking place today. Please stay. Dr. Zato, your assignment is go and look for what Joseph is. My assignment is what Joseph is. Heat.

[00:50:06]Heat.