The Government of Ghana has strongly condemned the killing of a Ghanaian national in South Africa and called for a swift investigation to bring those responsible to justice.

In a press statement issued on Wednesday, July 1, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs identified the deceased as 40 year old Mr Bashiru Isak, who was fatally shot in Khayelitsha, Cape Town, on Monday, June 30, during anti immigrant demonstrations linked to ongoing xenophobic attacks.

The Ministry described the incident as a senseless act of violence and expressed deep shock and sadness over his death.

It noted that the Government condemned, in the strongest terms, the growing wave of xenophobic attacks targeting African nationals, including Ghanaians, in South Africa.

According to the Ministry, the Ghana High Commission in Pretoria, acting on its instructions, has formally lodged Ghana’s protest with South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation and filed a complaint with the South African Police Service after confirming the identity of the deceased and informing his family.

The statement disclosed that an autopsy had been conducted on the body at the request of the Government of Ghana.

The Ministry called on the South African authorities to carry out a full, transparent and speedy investigation that would lead to the arrest and prosecution of those behind the killing.

It urged the South African Government to strengthen protection for Ghanaians and other foreign nationals living in affected communities.

The Ministry stressed that Ghana expected South Africa to uphold its international obligations by guaranteeing the safety, dignity and rights of all foreign nationals within its borders.

It recalled that Ghana had already submitted a petition to the African Union Commission over xenophobic attacks against African nationals in South Africa and expressed hope that the continental body would treat the matter as a priority at its next statutory meeting.

Meanwhile, the Ministry revealed that arrangements were underway to repatriate Mr Isak’s body to Ghana for burial.

It extended its condolences to the bereaved family and advised Ghanaians in South Africa who did not take part in previous government repatriation exercises to remain vigilant, avoid high risk areas and contact the Ghana High Commission through its emergency telephone lines whenever they faced danger.

The Ministry reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to pursuing diplomatic, consular and multilateral efforts to protect the lives and welfare of its citizens abroad and prevent similar attacks in the future.

By: Jacob Aggrey

Parliament has been urged to continue placing human rights at the heart of its legislative, oversight and representative functions to strengthen Ghana’s democracy and promote inclusive national development.

Making a statement on the floor of Parliament to mark the International Day of Parliamentarianism on June 30, Member of Parliament for Wa West, Peter Lanchene Toobu, said Parliament had a constitutional duty to protect the dignity, freedoms and rights of every Ghanaian.

The annual observance, established by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and endorsed by the United Nations, was celebrated this year under the theme, “Bring Human Rights into Focus.”

Mr Toobu said Parliament was not only a law-making institution but also a guardian of constitutional liberties and the social contract between the State and its citizens.

He noted that throughout the Fourth Republic, Parliament had advanced human rights through legislation, oversight and representation by supporting reforms that improved access to justice, promoted gender equality, protected children and vulnerable groups, strengthened the rights of persons with disabilities and safeguarded freedom of expression and association.

The Legislator stressed that emerging challenges such as poverty, inequality, insecurity, climate change and rapid digital transformation required Parliament to ensure that development and national security measures did not undermine human dignity and inclusion.

Mr Toobu highlighted several landmark laws passed by Parliament to strengthen Ghana’s human rights framework.

They include the Children’s Act, Domestic Violence Act, Human Trafficking Act, Persons with Disabilities Act, Mental Health Act, Right to Information Act, Data Protection Act, the Abolition of the Death Penalty Act, the Affirmative and Gender Equity Act and the Social Protection Act.

He also disclosed that Parliament was currently considering the Community Service Bill, 2026, which seeks to reduce congestion in correctional facilities while promoting the welfare of inmates.

According to him, the establishment of Parliament’s Committee on Human Rights in 2024 further demonstrated the House’s commitment to promoting and protecting the rights of all Ghanaians.

The Committee, he said, is mandated to scrutinise legislation for compliance with international human rights standards and collaborate with the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), civil society organisations and other stakeholders.

Mr Toobu paid tribute to former Speakers of Parliament and past Members of Parliament for their contributions to strengthening Ghana’s parliamentary democracy and democratic governance since the inception of the Fourth Republic.

He called for stronger, more responsive and inclusive parliamentary institutions capable of addressing contemporary challenges, including economic uncertainty, climate change, technological advancement and widening inequalities.

He urged Parliament to continue strengthening public confidence in democratic institutions by ensuring that its processes remained accessible, transparent and responsive, particularly to women, young people, persons with disabilities and other underrepresented groups.

Mr Toobu expressed optimism that the commemoration would inspire parliamentarians to work together to preserve the democratic gains of the Fourth Republic and further strengthen Ghana’s Parliament as a beacon of democracy in Africa.

By Gordon Wellu