Ghana rejected MTN’s GH¢20m donation to sustain diplomatic pressure on South Africa – Int’l Relations Analyst

International Relations expert Dr Ishmael Hlovor says Ghana’s decision to decline a GH¢20 million donation from MTN for victims of xenophobic attacks in South Africa is part of a broader diplomatic strategy to maintain pressure on the South African government.

That is ensuring that you bring much more diplomatic pressure [on] the South African government and let South Africa engage openly to provide sustainable solutions to the issue of xenophobic attacks,” he said.

According to him, while accepting the donation could make economic sense and provide support to affected victims, rejecting it sends a stronger diplomatic message to South Africa that Ghana considers the recurring attacks on foreigners a serious issue requiring sustainable solutions.