Kofi Bentil has said South Africa’s economic ties across Africa should be used as leverage to push for stronger protection of foreigners.
He argued that South African businesses operating on the continent depend heavily on African markets.
He said Ghana and other African countries should not ignore that influence.
“South Africa needs us more than we need them,” he said on TV3’s Key Points on July 4.
Bentil stopped short of calling for the closure of South African companies in Ghana but said pressure measures should be considered if attacks on foreigners continue.
“They must feel the pinch because if you are making money from the rest of Africa, you should put some pressure on your government to respect the people you are trading with,” he said.
He argued that economic leverage could be more effective than repeated diplomatic statements in addressing the situation.
