Xenophobic attacks: MTN Ghana commits GH¢20m to support returnees
MTN Ghana has committed GH¢20 million to support Ghanaians returning from South Africa following renewed xenophobic attacks.
The company’s Board Chairman, Dr Ishmael Yamson, said the intervention is intended to help the returnees rebuild their lives and livelihoods rather than provide only short-term relief.
Speaking to Joy News on Thursday, August 20, Dr Yamson said MTN Ghana initially set aside GH¢10 million to welcome the returnees.
He said the company later doubled the amount after realising that immediate assistance would not adequately address the long-term needs of those affected.
According to him, the additional GH¢10 million will be combined with the initial allocation to establish a fund to help the returnees restart their lives.
Dr Yamson admitted that MTN Ghana should have engaged the Ministry of Foreign Affairs earlier and expressed regret over the delay in rolling out the support.
He, however, stressed that the delay should not be interpreted as a lack of concern for the affected Ghanaians.
News explainers service
“We will do it. We’ll do it in a big way. We’ll do it in a way that will make more meaning,” he said.
Dr Yamson also condemned the attacks and distanced MTN Ghana from the violence.
“I condemn it. I completely dissociate MTN Ghana from it. We have nothing to do with it. One thing that maybe has not been visible is what we have done to support.”
Dr Yamson acknowledged that MTN Ghana had been slower than some other corporate organisations in making its intervention public.
“It’s something that I regret, because we should have moved faster.”
He commended companies and organisations that had already supported the returnees.
“And for those who did it, Telecel and the others, I really congratulate them. Pentecost Church, I congratulate them.”
The renewed attacks in South Africa have targeted African migrants, including Ghanaians, with two Ghanaian nationals killed in separate incidents.
Ghana has since evacuated over 1000 nationals who felt unsafe, while authorities have introduced measures to support their reintegration.
Dr Yamson condemned the attacks and distanced MTN Ghana from the violence, while commending organisations including Telecel and the Pentecost Church for supporting affected returnees.
