Tensions between Ghana and South Africa boiled over on Thursday as a group of demonstrators marched to the MTN Ghana headquarters in Accra, chanting and demanding that South African businesses leave the country.
In the video making the rounds, the protesters can be seen gathering in front of the MTN office, waving placards and raising their voices in anger. The demonstration is part of the growing “South Africa Must Go” campaign, which has been gaining momentum in parts of West Africa amid accusations of xenophobia and mistreatment of African migrants in South Africa, reports Gwg.ng.
Many of the protesters are visibly agitated, with some getting close to the building as security looks on. The clip captures the raw emotion on the ground, people fed up with what they see as South Africa’s hostile attitude towards fellow Africans while its companies continue to make huge profits across the continent.
The irony wasn’t lost on many watching online. Several commenters pointed out that the protesters were likely using MTN SIM cards and data to record and share the very video. Others joked that burning down the MTN office would only hurt Ghanaian workers and customers more than South Africa itself.
This latest protest adds to the already strained relationship between the two countries. South African companies like MTN, Shoprite, and others employ thousands of Ghanaians and contribute significantly to the local economy. But for the demonstrators, that doesn’t matter, they want South Africa to feel the heat for what they describe as unfair treatment of Ghanaians and other Africans living there.
